Energy partitioning of pregnant and lactating rabbit fed combination of concentrate and <i>stylosanthes hamata</i> hay

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine energy partitioning of pregnant and lactating rabbit offered levels of concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay to ascertain whether it meets their high reproductive and nutritional requirement. Forty-eight nulliparous crossbred does (New Zealand White x California and California x Chinchilla breeds) of eight months old were allocated to four dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. During gestation, 150 g/doe/day concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations (30:120g, 60:90g, 90:60g and 120:30g) was offered while 350 g/doe/day concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations (70:280g, 140:210g, 210:140g and 280:70g) was offered during lactation. Estimations of digestible energy during pregnancy and lactation were carried out and reference data were used to calculate for DE_req, DE_m, DE_fg, DE_macc, Balance_DE and DE_req/LW^0.75.  Results obtained showed non-significant (P>0.05) difference among 90:60 and 120:30% concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations in terms of DM_intake, DE_intake, DE_req, DE_fg, DE_macc, BalanceDE and DE_req/LW^0.75, but were significantly (P<0.05) higher than 30:120 and 60:90% concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations. Rabbit in the 4^th week of pregnancy had significantly (P<0.05) higher DE_intake, DE_req, DE_fg, DE_macc, Balance_DE and  DE_req/LW^0.75 than does in the 2^nd week of pregnancy. During lactation, all parameters showed non-significant (P>0.05) difference. Therefore, the diet combinations were sufficient to provide adequate digestible energy for the physiological needs of does during pregnancy and lactation.

Keywords: Rabbit does, Energy Partitioning, Pregnancy, Concentrate, Stylosanthes hamata hay