Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Effect of Different Levels of Energy and Protein on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Rabbits Fed Dhal Grass (hymenachne Amplexicaulis) as Basal Feed

M. N. Islam
Production Manager
Lion Feeds Limited, Tinsarak, Lakshmipura, Gazipur-1705, Bangladesh.

A. Reza
Professor
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

S. Islam
Lecturer
Department of Animal Science, BSMRAU, Salna, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted for 130 days with eighteen growing female rabbits (16 to 18 weeks age, 1300-1560 g body weight) divided into three blocks and each block was then assigned at random to six dietary treatments in a 3x2 factorial design (i.e. energy 2300,2500,2700 kcal ME/kg DM and crude protein 14 and 16%) having three rabbits in each treatment group, where dhal grass was offered ad libitum. Dry matter intake and FCR significantly (P>0.01) decreased with the increased levels of energy in both growth and reproduction periods. But live weight gain and GV significantly (P<0.01) increased with increasing levels of supplemental energy in the diet. Dry matter intake, FCR and GV did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between the protein levels. Percentage of does kidded, gestation period, individual kit weight at weaning, individual kit weight gain upto weaning and kit mortality upto weaning did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the levels of supplemental energy. However, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning and total kits alive at weaning differed significantly (P<0.05) among the supplemental energy levels. The study revealed that ad libitum green grass plus supplementary concentrate mixture containing 2700 kcal ME /kg DM and 16% CP was best for optimum growth and 2500 kcal ME/kg DM with 16% CP, is best for reproductive performance of female rabbits.

Keywords: Energy, Growth, Protein, Rabbit, Reproductive performance

Location: Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Start Date: 31-08-2001

End Date: 12-01-2002

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Rabbit, Feed

Objectives:

To observe the effect of different levels of supplemental energy and protein on growth and reproductive performance of rabbits fed ad-libitum Dhal grass.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out at the Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from August 31,2001 to January 12, 2002. Eighteen growing female crossbred New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits aged between 16 and 18 weeks having live weight of 1300-1560 g were selected for the study. All of the animals were housed individually in cages. Each cage was equipped with a subterranean nest box just before parturition. All cages were placed in a well-ventilated building. The animals were given two weeks to adapt to the experimental feed and over all environment before the commencement of the study. All cages were cleaned in every week but the floor was cleaned daily. Feeder and waterer were cleaned everyday.

The experiment was conducted in 3x2 factorial arrangement in a Randomized Block Design (RBD). Animals were blocked into three groups according to initial body weight and then they were assigned to six dietary treatments. All the rabbits were supplied with dhal grass ad libitum basis as a basal roughage and fixed amount of concentrate mixture in different periods having two protein and three energy levels (Six treatment combinations). The ingredient and nutrient composition per kg concentrate mixtures. The formulated concentrate mixtures were fortified, with vitamin mineral premix at the inclusion level of 250 g/100 kg mixture. Concentrate mixture were supplied at the rate of 70 g/d/h during growing period and 80 g/h/d during gestation period and 100 g/h/d during lactation period. Locally available Dhal grass was collected every morning, chopped, weighed and supplied to the animals twice daily at 8.00 am and 4.00 pm. The required amount of concentrate mixture was supplied once daily at 8.00 am. Fresh and clean drinking water was made available to rabbits at all time. Feed offered and the leftover were recorded regularly for individual rabbit. The feed intake, live weight change, feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth velocity (GV), reproductive performance (% of does kidded, gestation period, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, individual kit weight at birth, litter size at the end of weaning, litter weight at the end of weaning, individual kit weight at the end of weaning, individual kit weight gain up to weaning, kit mortality up to weaning) and mortality were recorded. Feed samples were analysed for crude protein following AOAC (1990). Experimental data were analysed by using 'MSTAT' statistical program to compute analysis of variance (ANOV A) for a 3x2 factorial experiment in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) and significant difference for any parameter was done by DMRT.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science, Vol-36 (1 & 2): 73-81, 2007 (ISSN 0003-3588)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Results of this research indicated that supplemental concentrate mixture containing 2700 kcal ME/kg DM and 16% CP along with ad libitum dhal green grass may be appropriate for optimizing the growth performance of growing female rabbits (up to 26 weeks of age) and supplemental concentrate mixture containing 2500 kcal ME/kg DM and 16% CP with ad libitum dhal grass (green grass) may be suggested for optimum reproductive performance of female rabbits.

Knowledge Management: Journal