Authors : Youssouf Toukourou, Theodore S. Vitohekpon, Ibrahim T. Alkoiret, Is-Haquou Daouda and Guy A. Mensah
Abstract: Growth performances of 343 young rabbits (170♀ and 173♂) born from 79 females (22 primiparous and 57 multiparous) and 5 males were evaluated from August 22 to December 20, 2012 at the breeding farm “CETAVI” located in the town of Abomey-calavi Southeast of Benin. The aim of this study is to appreciate the level of expression of the growth performances of rabbits under the specific conditions of “CETAVI” breeding. The animals are housed in groups of six in wire cages with 80 by 40 cm floor size. They are all from local strain parents. The feed consisting of different types of roughage and concentrate presented in floury form is served at will. Drinking water is served without restriction to all animals. Weaning of young rabbits occurred at 35 days of age with a live weight of 400 g minimum. The mean live weights recorded every 2 weeks from birth to the age of 3 months were, respectively 48.5, 172.62, 541.42, 758.90, 360.76, 983.17 and 1169.22 g. These weights were significantly higher (p<0.05) in rabbits from primiparous females with smaller birth size (p<0.05) from birth to the age of 2 months. This trend is then reversed until the age of 3 months. No difference (p>0.05) was observed between the mean live weight of male and female young rabbits throughout the test. This level of weight productivity was proved globally satisfactory as it is comparable to that of most professional breeding farms.
Youssouf Toukourou, Theodore S. Vitohekpon, Ibrahim T. Alkoiret, Is-Haquou Daouda and Guy A. Mensah, 2017. Growth Performances of Rabbits in Farms in Southern Benin. Agricultural Journal, 12: 23-27.