EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GROUP SIZE ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different group’s size on productive performance of growing rabbits. A total number of 108 APRI weaning rabbits, their average initial body weight were 560±10g. Animals were assigned to two groups: The 1st group housed by 4 rabbits in cage 60 cm2, while the 2nd group housed by 8 rabbits in cage 120 cm2. During the experimental period live body weight(g), daily feed intake(g) and mortality rate (%)  were recorded and daily body weight gain(g) and feed conversion ratio(FCR) were calculated at 5, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age. After the end of the experiment (12 wk) 36 rabbits were randomly taken and slaughtered to calculate the measure carcass traits. These include total giblet (g), cervix part (%), front quarters (%), intermediate part (%), hind quarter (%) and the dressing weight. Also the economical efficiency (EE%) was calculated. Results indicated that: the average live body weight (LBW), daily weight gain (DWG) and daily feed intake (DFI) were not significantly influenced by different group size. The best DWG values were recorded for the group 2 (8 rabbits/ cage), by around 2.5% during the whole fatting period (5-12 wks). Daily feed intake was lower in group 2 than group 1 by around 6.20%, 2.00%, 0.31% and 2.83% at 5, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, respectively. Data revealed significant improvements in FCR for rabbits in group2 (P<0.05) than group1 for the period 5-8 and during the whole growing period 512 weeks. The mortality rate was lower in group 2  than in group 1. The best dressing weight value was recorded for the group 2 by around 9.2%.The economical efficiency (EE %) was improved in group 2. It is concluded that, increasing number of rabbits to 8 rabbits in cage could decrease the mortality %, increase the dressing weight that also lead to increase the economical efficiency.