Effect of different bedding materials on the reproductive performance of broiler rabbits

Authors

  • Basavaraj Department of Livestock production and Management, Veterinary college, Hebbal Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, India Author
  • Y B Rajeshwari Department of Livestock production and Management, Veterinary college, Hebbal Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, India Author
  • K H Balaji Department of Livestock production and Management, Veterinary college, Hebbal Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, India Author
  • M P Vivek Department of Livestock production and Management, Veterinary college, Hebbal Bangalore 560 024, Karnataka, India Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/jlas.2019.2.2.1

Keywords:

Rabbit, litter size, litter weight, coconut coir, ragi straw, wire mesh

Abstract

The effect of different bedding materials on the performance was studied in eighteen adult female broiler rabbits in three  kindlings at Small Animal House, Veterinary College Bangalore. Based on bedding material, rabbits were divided into  coconut coir group (T1), ragi straw (T2) and wire mesh group without any bedding material (T3). Litter size and litter  weight at birth were6.22±0.37 and 246.30±10.74 in T1 group, 5.66±0.37 and 223.70±11.49 in T2 group and 5.77±0.27 and  224.80±8.242 in T3 group respectively. The average litter size and weight at weaning were 5.72±0.28 and 1488±38.73 in  T1 group, 4.94±0.26 and 1202±35.45 in T2 group and 4.50±0.27 and 991±39 in T3 group respectively. The highest litter  size and weight at weaning were recorded in T1 group which was significantly different (P<0.05) from other two groups.  The results indicate that coir can be suitably used as a low-cost bedding material alternative to ragi straw.  

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Blumetto O, Olivas I, Torres AG and Villagra A (2010). Use of straw and wood shavings as nest material in primiparous does. World Rabbit Sci.18: 237-242.

Drescher B and Bobbis SI (1996). Pododermatitis (Sore hocks) in the rabbits. kleintierpraxis 41: 99-103.

Eady SJ (2009). Evaluation of equipment for breeding does housed under Australian meat farming conditions. Anim. Prod. Sci. 49: 717-726.

Hudson R, Schaal B, Martinez-Gomez M and Distel H(2000). Mother- Young relations in the European rabbit: Physiological and behavioural locks and keys. World Rabbit Sci., 8: 85-90.

Mahmoud EEA, Tulip A and Abdel Ghaffar(2004). Benha. Vet. Med. J. 15: 2.

Miko A, Szendro ZS, Gerencser ZS, RadnaiI, Odermatt Nagy I and Matics ZS(2012). Performance of rabbit does in cages with or without elevated platform or plastic foot rest. In: proc. 10th World Rabbit Congress. September 3-6, Sharm El

Sheikh-Egypt. pp 441-445.

Morton DB, Jennings M and Batchelor GR(1993). Refinements in rabbit husbandry. Second report of the BVAAWF/FRAME/ RSPCA/UFAW joint working group. Lab. Anim. 27: 301-329.

Ndor, Lowen OJ and Nyeche VN (2010). Influence of housing systems on the performance and reproductive characteristics of weaner rabbits reared in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria. Int. J. Agr. Biol. 12: 947-949.

Rajeshwari YB,Satyanarayana K and Prasanna SB(2008). Handbook on care and management of laboratory and pet animals. Daya Publishing House. 46-54.

Viet Meyer ND (1985). Potentials of micro livestock in developing countries.J. Appl. Rabbit Res.8: 10.

Weber EM and Olsson IA(2008). Maternal behavior in Mus musculus spp an ethological review. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.114: 1-22.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-14

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2019): Journal of Laboratory Animal Science(Jul-Dec)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Effect of different bedding materials on the reproductive performance of broiler rabbits . (2024). Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, 2(2), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.48165/jlas.2019.2.2.1
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC