REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF TWO BREEDS OF RABBIT DOES FED DIET CONTAINING ALGAL BIOMASS

Résumé

This study was conducted to assess the effect of level of Algal biomass (DHA) on the reproductive performance of two breeds of rabbit does. A total of twenty-four mature female animals (12 chinchilla does and 12 harlequin) were involved. Six mature bucks were procured for the purpose of mating. Data collected were subjected to a 2*3 factorial analysis in arandomized block complete design. Results showed that weight of does at mating, gestation length and kit weaning weight in Harlequin does differed significantly (p<0.05) to those of the Chinchilla breed, while the latter recorded higher (p<0.05) conception rate. The conception rate, kit weaning weight and weight gain were influenced (p<0.05) by the level of Algal biomass DHA. Highest conception rate was obtained in rabbit does fed 1.0% Algal DHA, while rabbit does fed 0.5% DHA recorded the highest values of kit weaning weight (683.7g) and weight gain (632.9g).It was concluded that breéd and level of DHA affected the reproductive performance of rabbit does and that Chinchilla breed does fed 1.0% DHA give best production owing it to their high litter size at weaning.