Benin; Dietary fiber; Local breed; Rabbit does; Animal Science and Zoology; Veterinary (all)
Abstract :
[en] This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) level on the reproductive performance of local rabbit does in Benin. Twenty-four nulliparous does, average body weight 2505.3 ± 21.8 g, were evenly distributed into four groups. Each group was randomly assigned to one of four treatments with linear increase level of fiber: Diets A (lowest fiber content) and B (highest fiber content) were used to formulate two intermediate fiber level diets: Ab (composed of 70% A and 30% B) and Ba (composed of 70% B and 30% A). Feed intake significantly varied (P < 0.05) among the diets provided to the reproductive does. Diet B was consumed the most compared to the others. None of the dietary regimens had a significant effect (P>0.05) on overall litter size (total born, at birth, and at 21 days of age). However, the lowest rates of stillborn kits (2.33%) and the lowest birth-to-weaning mortality rate (14%) were observed in does feed with the diet Ba, (P <0.05). This diet provided also the best growth performance of kits under the doe (average weight at 21 days of age and at weaning, and average daily gain). This study proved that the diet with the intermediate high level of fibers could lead to improved reproductive performance in breeding does.
Research Center/Unit :
FARAH. Productions animales durables - ULiège
Disciplines :
Animal production & animal husbandry
Author, co-author :
Alassane, Souladjou; University of Abomey-Calavi, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Department of Animal Production, Cotonou, Benin ; University of Abomey-Calavi, Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Meat Technology (LBATV), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Dahouda, Mahamadou; University of Abomey-Calavi, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Department of Animal Production, Cotonou, Benin ; University of Abomey-Calavi, Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Meat Technology (LBATV), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Dotché, Ignace; University of Abomey-Calavi, Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Meat Technology (LBATV), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Ahounou, Serge; University of Abomey-Calavi, Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Meat Technology (LBATV), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Dehoux, Jean-Paul ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Animal Sciences (AS) ; Animal House Facility Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
Karim, Issaka Youssao Abdou; University of Abomey-Calavi, Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Meat Technology (LBATV), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Hornick, Jean-Luc ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA)
Language :
English
Title :
Evaluation of Dietary Fiber Content (NDF) on the Zoo Technical Performances of Local Rabbits Does and Young Rabbits in Benin
Publication date :
2025
Journal title :
Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences
ISSN :
2309-3331
eISSN :
2307-8316
Publisher :
ResearchersLinks Ltd
Volume :
13
Issue :
7
Pages :
1476 - 1483
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Development Goals :
1. No poverty 2. Zero hunger
Funders :
ARES CCD - Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur. Coopération au Développement
Funding text :
This research was funded by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES), Belgium, whose support is gratefully acknowledged. I also thank Jean-Paul Dehoux and Issaka Youssao Abdou Karim for their guidance, Jean-Luck Hornick and Mahamadou Dahouda for their supervision, and the Beninese rabbit farming cooperatives for their collaboration.
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