EFFECT OF REARING STOCKING DENSITY ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS OF GROWING RABBITS

Document Type : Original Article

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Dept. of Poultry Production, Fac. of Agric., Mans. University

Abstract

A total of 90 unsexed 30 days weaned (New Zealand White (NZW)) rabbits were used in this experiment to study the effects of stocking density on growth performance and some blood parameters of growing rabbits, the animals were housed in wire cages (50x60x30cm) in groups of 1, 2, 3 and 4 rabbits/ cage (represented 6.6, 13.33, 20 and 26.67kg/m2). A significantly higher (p≤0.05) body condition score with better feed conversion was observed in rabbits stocked in groups having 1, 2 and 3 rabbits/ cage than those of 4 rabbits/ cage. No statistical difference was         observed in average carcass weight under different placement densities. However, a significantly higher weight of liver and kidney was observed in rabbits stocked in group having 1 rabbits /cage than other groups. Animals housed in group having 2 rabbits/ cage had the highest red blood cell counts and the lowest serum level of   Platelets, while the highest white blood cell counts (p≤0.05) was in rabbits stocked in group having 4 rabbits/ cage. Concentration of total protein, globulin and creatinine were higher (p≤0.05) in rabbits stocked in groups having 1 and 2 rabbits/cage than other groups. Aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were higher (p≤0.05) in rabbits stocked in groups having 3 and 4 rabbits/cage than the others. Albumin concentration, activity of alanine transaminase, High density lipoprotein and Lowe density lipoprotein were not affected. These results indicate that increasing density up to 4 rabbits per cage with floor area of 3000cm2, corresponding to a stocking density of 13.33 rabbits/m2 (26.67 kg/m2 at 12 week of age) adversely affect rabbit performance. 
 

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