Effect of Different Sources of Protein on Growth and Reproductive Performances of Rabbits

Abstract

Twenty-four New Zealand white crossbred growing rabbits (Aged 120 days) were used to study the effect of different protein sources on growth and reproductive performances of rabbit does. The animals were fed three diets containing til oil cake (A), soybean meal (B) and gram (C) along with ad-labium green grasses. However daily live weight gain was higher in gram containing diet but not significant (P>0.05) than those received til oil cake or soybean meal. Daily live weight gain of rabbits was 2.34, 2.33 and 3.14 g/day for til oil cake (A) Soybean meal (B) and gram (C) respectively. Feed conversion ratios were differed significantly (P<0.05) among the three treatment groups. Age at first breeding, age at first kidling gestation period, liter size, number of litter alive, number of litter dead and percentage alive were not differed significantly (P>0.05) among the treatment groups. Only kit mortality up to 7 days were differed significantly (P<0.05). Lower kit mortality (12.51) in gram containing feed (C) and increased in group B (36.37) and group A diet (36.37) respectively. Based on the present research findings gram diet may be used as a protein supplement for raising rabbits in Bangladesh. But further research is needed using large number of rabbits in this aspect before final recommendation.