Influence of housing systems on the performance and reproductive characteristics of wearner rabbits reared in port harcourt, rivers state, Nigeria
Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Ndor, L., Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Owen, O.J., Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Nyeche, V.N., Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of rabbits reared under three different housing systems; (a) conventional housing system (hutch, control), (b) non conventional housing system (deep litter system) and (c) another non conventional system (bare mud floor). The two non-conventional systems were adopted to conform to methods currently employed by ordinary peasants. The study lasted 28 weeks. A total number of 30 adult rabbits of the medium sized breed category of both sexes aged 5-6 months were assigned randomly to the groups:- A (control: cage system), B (deep litter-cemented floor) C (bare floor) each group comprising 7 females and 3 males. Several observations were made including conception rate, litter size, weight gain etc. Results obtained from the production parameters indicated a higher conception rate in group C (70.63%) over and above the cage system (49.00%) and the deep litter system (60.34%). The mean litter size, kindling rate and average number of animals weaned were also significantly different (P<0.05) in favor of the non-conventional housing systems. There was a significant difference in the age and weight at puberty, mean age between rabbits in the three different systems. Percentage pseudo-pregnancy was higher in the conventional housing system than in the non-conventional housing systems. Adult and litter mortality was higher in the conventional housing system than in the non-conventional housing systems, (cage 15%), deep litter 10% and bare mud floor 5%. Results of the production parameters showed significant difference in body weight (P<0.05) among rabbits reared under the three systems. For instance, average total weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the rabbits in floor system (0.68 kg) as against rabbits placed on deep litter system (0.52 kg) and that of cage system (0.59 kg). Comparative analysis of the production/reproduction parameters vis-â-vis production cost in the 3 groups favoured the non-conventional housing system (bare floor), which is cost effective in terms of production and also guarantees lower mortality and higher production. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers.