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).