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The Effects of Diet and Remating Interval after Parturition on the Reproductive Performance of the Commercial Doe Rabbit¹

E.T.S. Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid², 28040 Madrid, Spain

Abstract

Several reproductive characteristics, feed intake and weight of 72 New Zealand doe rabbits were recorded throughout a 1-yr production cycle in a 4 x 3 factorial experiment, with three remating intervals (1, 9 and 25 d) after parturition and four diets as factors. The four diets were formulated for two digestible energy (DE) contents (2.14 and 2.33 kcal/g) and four energy: protein ratios (E/P) between 18.0 and 23.3 kcal DE/g digestible protein. Theoretical advantages of reducing the remating interval after parturition tended to be compensated by a significant impairment of reproductive characteristics. Conception rate in treatments 1, 9 and 25 was 63.3, 73.6 and 80.3; litter size at birth was 8.0, 7.9 and 8.8 and litter size at weaning was 5.9, 6.5 and 6.7, respectively. Parallel decreases were observed in average weight of does (4.0, 4.2 and 4.2 kg) and in litter weight at 21 d of age (2.0, 2.2 and 2.2 kg, respectively). The number of pups weaned per cage per year for treatments 1, 9 and 25 was 36.0, 38.0 and 33.3, respectively. An increase in DE content of the diet decreased dry matter intake (P<.01) and feed conversion rate (P<.05) but did not affect DE intake, average weight of does, or reproductive performance. In treatments 1 and 9, diets containing 2.14 kcal DE/g were able to sustain high yield (four rabbits weaned per cage and month) throughout 250 d (out of the hot season). Does fed diet 2, which had an E:P ratio of 23.3 kcal/g, showed a lower (P<.01) conception rate than does fed diets 1,3 and 4, in which E:P ratio varied between 18.0 and 21.7 kcal/g. Performance observed with diet 2 was worse (P<.05) when this diet was supplied to does remated 1 d after parturition.

¹ Financial support was provided by the Comisión Asesora para la Investigación Cientifíca y Técnica.

² Dept. de Nutr. Anim.