Effect of feeding frequency on the growth and reproductive performance of two rabbit breeds

Abstract

Twenty-eight rabbits from two breeds; New Zealand Red (NZR) and Florida White (FW) (twelve does and two bucks per breed) were used to examine the effect of feeding frequency on the reproductive performance of two rabbit breeds. Each of the two rabbit breeds were divided into two groups (A and B) on the basis of feeding frequency of once (7a.m only) or twice daily (7a.m and 4p.m). The experiment lasted for 30weeks (10 weeks in each parity). Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance in a 2x2 experimental layout. The litter size of rabbits fed once was 4.33 while those fed twice daily had 2.67 litter size. Rabbits fed twice daily had higher (p<0.05) weaning weight and weaning weight gain than rabbits fed once daily in both breeds. In the third parity, the breeds differed significantly (p<0.05) only in the final weight with FW having a higher value of 2267.50g/rabbit/day than NZR. Significantly (p<0.05) higher mortality was obtained in rabbits fed once daily than those fed twice daily at the second and third parities in both breeds. The results showed that feeding frequency affected the weaning weight, weaning weight gain and mortality of the does from the second parity.

Keywords: Rabbit; Breed; Feeding frequency; Parity