Effect of weaning age and housing model on feed intake, growth performance, hemato-biochemical parameters and economic efficiency of post weaning New Zealand White rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different weaning times (at 25th, 30th and 35th day of age) and different housing models on feed intake, growth performance, some biochemical constituents, hematological parameters and economic efficiency of growing New Zealand White rabbits. One hundred and twenty New Zealand White rabbits were taken from multiparous does at the weaning age of 25, 30 and 35 days. They were allocated into six groups of 20 rabbits each (10 males and10 females) of similar body weight. Rabbits were housed in two different housing models with different environmental conditions (Building A and B). The results showed that, rabbits that have been reared in building A have significantly higher final body weight than those reared in building B. There was a significant difference (p 0.05) for feed conversation ratio at the weaning age of 35 and 30 days. Plasma total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and RBCs/ lymphocyte ratio were significantly increased (P 0.05) with increasing weaning age, while globulin was not significantly affected (P 0.05). White blood cells were significantly (P 0.05) decreased with increasing weaning age. The best value of relative revenue was found in the rabbits weaned at 35 days of age and reared in building A (1.53), followed by those weaned at 35 days of age and reared in building B (1.51), but the poorest value was recorded for those weaned at 25 days of age in both housing models (1.41). In conclusion, housing conditions could affect growth performance of intensive rabbit production. While, late weaned rabbits (at 35 days of age) have reduced mortality rate, improved growth performance, economic efficiency and welfare under Egyptian environmental conditions.