Effect of suckling period on body physical characteristics and blood serum metabolites in growing rabbits

Abstract EN

One hundred and twenty new born White New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups.

The first group was weaned at 35 days of age.

The second group was weaned at 60 days of age.

During lactation period and till marketing age both groups were subjected to body physical characteristic measurements.

These characters were lengths of ear loop, head, body, tail, fore legs, hind legs in addition thoracic, abdomen circumference and body weight at 10 weeks of age.

The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in body weight, thoracic, abdomen circumference and body length between two studied groups.

While there were no significant differences in lengths of ear loop, head, body, tail, fore legs, hind legs between the two groups.

It could be concluded that it is better to prolong lactation period in growing rabbits to get better physical body characteristics and marketing weight.