Abstract of research

A STUDY ON SOME FACTORS AFFECTING MILK YIELD IN NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS

Mahmoud E.A.A

Abstract

This study was carried out on 50 adult does and 8 adult bucks of New Zealand white rabbit breed with their progeny and extended for about 2 years to study some factors affecting milk yield in doe rabbits under Egyptian conditions. The obtained results showed that food and water consumption were increased significantly p≤ 0.05 in lactating does when evaluated during the first two weeks of lactation. The body weight of does rearing litter size less than 7 pups were increased after parturition till the 2nd week then decreased at the 3rd week and re-increased again at the 4th week, while dams rearing litter size more than 7 young were increased in body weight during the 1st two weeks after parturition then decreased during the 3rd and 4th weeks post partum, all changes in the body weight of lactating does were non significant. The male body weight was higher than female at birth and continued higher than female till the time of weaning at 4 weeks of age. Increasing the number of suckling bouts from one to two times daily enhancing significantly the body weight of the suckling pups both male p≤0.001 and female p≤0.05 during nursing period. Milk yield was increased significantly p≤0.05 during winter than summer season and significantly increased p≤0.05 by increasing dam's body weight and also by increasing the number of suckling bouts form one to two times p≤0.05 per day. Milk yield differed according to the sex of the suckling pups, it was higher significantly p≤0.0001 in male kids versus female kids, also it was increased significantly p≤0.05 by increasing the litter size of the suckling kids.