INFLUENCE OF GRADUAL CHANGE IN FEED, USE OF ACIDI-FIER AND PREBIOTIC ON RABBITS IN THE PERIOD OF WEANING

To establish the possibility of improvement of rabbit production results, the use of feed acidifier, supplements to feed and gradual change from feed for does to feed for weanlings was investigated. Ten days before parturition 3 groups of 15 pregnant does each were formed. They were fed feed containing coccidiostatic drug Robenidin (1 mg/ kg). To the first two groups acidifier Acid Pac 4 Way (2 g/l) was administered in drinking watter. Between day 22 and 30 of weanlings age gradual change from feed for does to feed for weanling rabbits, that contained prebiotic Bio Mos (2 g/ kg), was carried out in the first group. The second group got the same feed but there was no gradual change of feed. In the third group gradual change of feed was performed, but for weaned rabbits only basic feed without supplements was used. The results of parturitions, feed consumption, number and weight of weaned rabbits to the 40th day of age and losses of does and their youngs were registered. Statistically significant difference (x ±SE) in the number of equalized and weaned rabbits were stated between 2nd (7.3±0.3, 6.7±1.91) and 3rd (8.7±0.21, 9.5±1.24) group (P<0.05). At weaning the greatest average weight of youngs was found in the 1st group (640.7±19.29 g) and at the age of 40 days in the 2nd group (934.1±10.41 g). The results showed that feed supplements can contribute to better results in intensive rabbit production.