Effect of re-mating intervals and weaning age on productive and reproductive traits of rabbits [electronic resouce].
تأثير نظم التزاوج والفطام علي الاداء الانتاجي والتناسلي في الارانب.
- p.1049-1063.
Includes references.
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of strains, light treatments and their interactions during the period between 12 and 34 weeks of age on performance of Mandara and Dokki-4 local strains. A total number of 360 birds (divided in to 180 birds for each strain at 12 weeks of age) were used in this study. Four groups from each strain having nearly equal initial live body weights were randomly assigned to 4 treatments. The birds of each treatment for each strain were divided into three replicates (each of 15 pullets). The birds of each treatment for each strain were exposed to one of light treatments: Low intensity (45 Lux) of fluorescent (FL), high intensity (52 Lux) of fluorescent (FH), Low intensity (24 Lux) of incandescent (IL) and high intensity (35 Lux) of incandescent (IH) lights, measured at the level of the birds heads. The results were summarized as follow: Strain had a significant effect on body weights at 20 and 34 weeks of age, body weight gain from 12-20 weeks of age, feed conversion ratio from 26-34 weeks of age, age at 50 %, at the peak of egg production, and egg number at 34 weeks of age in favorite to Mandara strain. Also strain had a significant effect on feed consumption from 26-34 weeks of age and egg weights at the peak of egg production and at 34 weeks of age in favorite to Dokki-4 strain. While, strain had no significant effect on feed consumption and feed conversion ratio from 12-20 weeks of age. The birds exposed to (FL) light treatment significantly recorded better body weights at 20 and 34 weeks of age, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio from 12-20 weeks of age when compared with birds exposed to (FH), (IL) and (IH) light treatments, whereas, the superiority of birds (FH) than birds of (FL), (IL) and (IH) light treatments in feed conversion ratio from 26-34 weeks and egg number at 34 weeks of age. Feed consumption 26-34 weeks of age were decreased significantly by (IL) compared with other light treatments. Meanwhile, the birds exposed to (FH) and (IH) light treatments reached age at 50 % and peak of egg production significantly (P≤ 0.01) earlier than those exposed to (FL) and (IL) light treatments. The superiority of birds (FH) light treatment than birds of (FL), (IL) and (IH) light treatments in egg weight at 34 weeks of age, with no significant differences between (FH) and (IL) light treatments.