Early weaning of kits allows better reproductive responses in female rabbits

Rabbit farming is worldwide one of the most practical, fastest and cheapest ways to obtain very high-quality meat, considerably improving family nutrition. Leading researchers (Xiccato et al., 2004) have proposed early weaning of litters as a management method to reduce body energy losses in the doe rabbit; remembering that, among the rabbit management tasks, weaning is a key point. Since this period could be considered essential to get the best performance from the does.
The aim of this research was to analyze the effects of early weaning of kits with the use of milk replacer, on the productive response of weaned animals and the post-weaning recovery period of does.
To carry out the experiment, three treatments were used (kits weaned at 32, 18 and 22 days, treatment 1, 2 and 3 respectively) with five repetitions each, where each repetition had an average of six kits housed with their respective mothers; considering each litter as an experimental unit. The feeding of the animals included Mulberry grass (Morus alba), commercial concentrated food and substitute milk. The analysis of the productive and reproductive data was carried out through an analysis of variance and the economic parameters through an analysis of Marginal Cost. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the productive and reproductive parameters (weight gain, prolificacy, mortality rate, postpartum heat and calving interval).

兔饲养业是全球范围内获取高品质肉类最为实用、迅速且经济的方法之一，显著提升了家庭营养水平。杰出的研究者（Xiccato 等人，2004年）提出，早期断奶是降低母兔身体能量损失的一种管理方法；需记住，在兔饲养管理任务中，断奶是至关重要的环节。鉴于此阶段对于获取母兔最佳性能至关重要。本研究旨在分析使用代乳品早期断奶对断奶后动物的生产性能及母兔断奶后恢复期的影响。为进行实验，采用了三种处理方法（分别在第32天、第18天和第22天断奶的幼兔，分别标记为处理1、2和3），每种处理方法重复五次，每次重复平均有六只幼兔与各自的母兔同笼饲养，将每窝幼兔视为一个实验单位。动物的饲养包括桑叶（Morus alba）、商业浓缩饲料和代乳品。生产力和繁殖数据的分析通过方差分析进行，经济参数通过边际成本分析进行。在生产力（增重、繁殖力、死亡率、产后发情和产间隔）和繁殖参数之间没有观察到差异（P > 0.05）。