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Effect of Concentrate Supplementation on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Rabbit Under Rural Condition

M. S. Hasanat
Executive
CP Bangladesh Co. Lt d.

M. E. Hossain
Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong.

M. P. Mostari
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka.

M. A. Hossain
Department of Dairy and poultry Science, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Crossbred New Zealand White meat type 8 male and 16 female rabbits aged 3.5 to 4.5 months weighing 9.5 to 13.0 kg were used in a 128 day trial to study the effects of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition. Rabbits were divided according to live weight into two treatment groups, i. e. T₁ (conventional diet) and T₂ (conventional diet + concentrate 75 g/d per rabbit) with four replications per treatment in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). All animals had free access to locally available green grasses. Results showed that, average daily live weight gain was significantly (p<0.01) higher in T₂ (13.02 ± 0.43 g/d) than T₁ (5.30 ± 0.43 g/d) group. Litter weight at birth was better (p<0.05) in T₂ (180.38 ± 16.37g) than T₁ (137.19 ± 16.37g) group. Litter size at weaning differed (p<0.05) and the mean values were 1.37 ± 0.30 for T₁ and 2.37 ± 0.2 7 for T₂ group. Kit weight at weaning was superior (p<0.01) in T₂ (408.12 ± 3.85g) than T₁ (310.62 ± 3.56g) group. Kit mortality up to weaning was higher (p<0.01) in T₁ (45.0 ± 10.07 %) than T₂ (26.92 ± 10.7%) group. These results indicated that, supplementation of concentrate in addition to conventional feeding may improve growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition.

Keywords: Crossbred, New Zealand White rabbit, Reproductive performance, Growth, Concentrate

Location: Lokkhikhola village in Muktagacha Upazila of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 01-01-2002

End Date: 31-03-2002

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Rabbit

Objectives:

To study the effects of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted for a period of 90 days from January 01 to March 31, 2002 at farmers homestead Lokkhikhola village in Muktagacha Upazila of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh, with the help of a local NGO "Jalal Nagar Development Project (JNDP)”. Crossbred New Zealand White meat type 8 male and 16 female rabbits aged between 3.5 to 4.5 months weighing 9.5 t o 13.0 kg were used in a 128 day trial to study the effects of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition. The rabbits were divided into two treatment groups, i.e. T₁ (conventional diet) and T₂ (conventional diet + concentrate 75 g/d per rabbit) with four replications, i.e. R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ per treatment in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). All rabbits were housed individually in locally made cases measuring 40 x 20 x 60 cubic cm. Each cage was equipped with a nest box at the ti me of parturition. For feeding and watering, farmers used earthen pot as feeder and drinker. Concentrate mixture was prepared following the guideline of NRC with 16.7 g/100 g crude protein and 2700 Kcal ME/kg DM. The diet was fortified with vitamin mineral premix. Animals were fed in two groups. Each rabbit of T₁ group was fed boiled rice, road side grass, banana leaf, cabbage, cauliflower and radish while T₂ group was supplemented with additional concentrate @ 75 g/d per rabbit. Feeds were analyzed in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh followed by AOAC (1984). Data were analyzed following Steel and Torrie (1980). Differences among treatment were determined using t-test. Contrast comparison was applied (SAS, 1996) to test the significance of the treatment effects.

Source of Information: Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006), 4 (2): 129–132.

Article Link (Online Journal): http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v4i2.1296

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Results showed that, average daily live weight gain was significantly (p<0.01) higher in T₂ (13.02 ± 0.43 g/d) than T₁ (5.30 ± 0.43 g/d) group. Litter weight at birth was better (p<0.05) in T₂ (180.38 ± 16.37g) than T₁ (137.19 ± 16.37g) group. Litter size at weaning differed (p<0.05) and the mean values were 1.37 ± 0.30 for T₁ and 2.37 ± 0.2 7 for T₂ group. Kit weight at weaning was superior (p<0.01) in T₂ (408.12 ± 3.85g) than T₁ (310.62 ± 3.56g) group. Kit mortality up to weaning was higher (p<0.01) in T₁ (45.0 ± 10.07 %) than T₂ (26.92 ± 10.7%) group. These results indicate that, supplementation of concentrate (75 g/d per rabbit) in addition to conventional feeding may improve growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition.

Knowledge Management: Journal