Effect of lactation period on body physical characters of growing rabbits

Abstract

One hundred new born rabbits of New Zealand White (NZW) breed were divided into two groups. The first group was weaned at 35 days of age. The second group was weaned at 60 days of age. During lactation period and until marketing age both groups were subjected to measurements of body physical characters. These characters were length of ear loop, head, body, tail, fore legs, hind legs and in addition thoracic, abdomen circumference and marketing body weight at 10 weeks of age. The results showed that there were significant differences (P <0.05) in marketing body weight, thoracic, abdomen circumference and body length between the two studied groups. While there were no significant differences in lengths of ear loop, head, body, tail, fore legs, hind legs between the two investigated groups. It could be concluded that it is better to prolong lactation period in growing rabbits to get better physical body characters and marketing weight.