Effect of adding citric acid (CA) to corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGs) diets on reproductive and productive performance of rabbits [electronic resource].

Includes references.

This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the effect of feeding two DDGs levels with or without citric acid on reproductive and productive performance of Black Baladi rabbits. The experiment used Fifteen mature female and fifteen males at seven and eight months' age with average live body weights (LBW) of 2900 ±100 g and 3300 ±100 g, respectively. Following, Forty-five produced growing bunnies with average LBW of 511±13 g at five weeks age lasted for six weeks growing period (5-11 weeks). All experimental rabbits were fed ad libitum on T1: Basal diet without DDGs and citric acid; CA (Control), T2: diet contained 40% DDGs, T3: diet contained 50% DDGs, T4: 40% DDGs and T5: 50% DDGs plus 1% CA each. Feeding DDGs diets with or without CA did not affect some reproductive traits of does and litter size at birth and weaning. While, litter weight significantly and live weight gain (non-significantly) improved with 40% DDGs plus CA at birth and weaning. Mortality rate significantly increased in DDGs groups during suckling period, but decreased with CA. Semen quality traits were improved with 40% DDGs plus CA. The LBW and daily weight gain (DWG) of growing rabbits improved with CA. Average daily feed intake/rabbit non-significantly increased and feed conversion ratio significantly improved with 40% DDGs with and without CA. The DDGs diets were of positive impact on rabbits blood parameters and slaughtering weights as well.
It conclusion, the use of DDGs in the diets of mature and growing rabbits up to 40% with adding CA is fruitful in reproductive and productive traits of rabbits.
Keywords: DDGs, reproductive traits, semen, growing, carcass, blood, rabbits.

Summary in Arabic.