Aims of this study was to investigate the influence of rabbits breed (Moshtohor vs. V-line), weaning age (28
and 35 days) and housing system (cages vs. floor type) on growth performance, economic efficiency and blood
metabolites by using 120 male rabbits divided into two breeds (60 Moshtohor rabbits and 60 V-line rabbits)
each breed divided into two weaning groups (30 rabbits weaned at 28 days and 30 rabbits weaned at 35 days)
each weaning group divided into two housing systems groups (15 rabbits housed in cages and 15 rabbits raised
on floor). All experimental rabbits were fed concentrate mixture according to National Research Council, NRC
(2004) recommendation based on the rabbits live body weight. Diets were offered twice daily in equal quantities
at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm and estimated for each group every day. Both of the consumed diets and refusals were
recorded daily. All rabbits in each group individually weekly weighed from 5 to 13 weeks of age in the morning
before feeding and drinking. Average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and the economic efficiency
were calculated. Blood samples were taken from three rabbits of each group at the end of the experiment to
evaluate blood metabolites. Results showed that Moshtohor rabbits weaned at 35 days of age and were reared in
cages had better growth performance, economic efficiency andblood metabolites than the other ones. Thus, it
could be concluded that rearing male Moshtohor rabbits, housed in cages and weaned at 35 days of age earn
the best growth performance, economic efficiency and blood metabolites. |
