Effect of a 24 hour doe-litter separation on rabbit doe reproductive performance and growth of the young

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effect of a 24h doe-litter separation (nest-boxes closed) on reproductive performance of rabbit does and growth of their young, in comparison with a control group (nest-boxes always opened). Two series of artificial insemination (A.I) were studied (123 A.I). Separated does were more fertile (94,9 vs 82.3 %, P = 0.003). Litter size at birth and at weaning, as well as litter weight at weaning were not influenced by the biostimulation. At weaning, the mean weight of young rabbits from the experimental does was lower (559 vs 593 g, P = 0.002). Nevertheless, a 24h doe-litter separation on the tenth day of lactation just before insemination improved the productivity of does (+ 19.5 %).