INFLUENCE OF CASTRATION AND DIFFERENT DIETS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEANER RABBITS

Résumé

Twenty four castrate and non-castrate weaner rabbits fed different diets were investigated to determine the growth performance and nutrient digestibility. The rabbits were assigned randomly to four treatments, each with three replicates and two animals per replicate. One hundred grams of feed were offered per rabbit/day and their body weight were taken on weekly basis. Other parameters measured were initial weight, final weight, total body weight gain, average body weight gain, average feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The results shows that castrates had significantly higher values in all growth performance parameters. Apparent digestibility coefficient values shows that castrates had significantly higher values of all parameters measured over the control. It was concluded that castration had significant effect on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits.