A total number of 36 does of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits with initial body weight 2658± 84 gm and 24 weeks of age were used in this investigation to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of different levels of moringa hay ( leaves+ twigs) as a partial substitute for alfalfa hay on their reproductive and productive performance. The animals were randomly allotted to three experimental groups (12 doe in each). The 1st group was served as a control and fed basal pelleted diet (Diet A) contained 18% alfalfa hay, represents about 14.3 % of the total crude protein of the diet. The 2nd and 3rd groups were fed the same basal diet, but 50 and 75% of alfalfa hay (B and C Diets, respectively) were replaced by moringa hay (leaves+ twigs) on the basis of its contents of protein
Conception rate was significantly improved (P < 0.05) in doe rabbits fed Diet C compared with those fed Diet A (control ) or Diet B. Differences in gestation length, litter size at birth, 21 days and at weaning (28 days) and litter weight at 21and 28days among experimental groups were not significant. Litter weight at birth and litter weight gain at all studied ages were insignificantly increased for rabbits fed Diet C compared with those fed the basal diet ( Diet A). Bunny weight at 21 and 28days was insignificantly higher in doe rabbits fed Diet B than those fed Diets A or Diet C. Pre- weaning mortality percentages at all studied ages were similar in all groups. During the 1st, 2nd and 3rd parity, daily and weekly milk yield were insignificantly higher with rabbits fed Diet B or C than those fed the basal diet (control). The differences for daily and weekly milk yield during 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks were not significant; however, the differences during the 4th week of lactation were significant (P < 0.05). Milk conversion ratio was insignificantly improved with rabbits fed Diets B or C compared to the control during the 3rd and 4th week of lactation.
The differences in most doe and offspring traits among the three parities were not significant. However, bunny weight at weaning (28 days) was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the three parities. Milk yield at most stages of lactation insignificantly increased in allparities, except at 1st weekof lactation at which the effect of parity on milk yield was highly significant (P < 0.01). Milk conversion ratio at all stages of lactation insignificantly decreased in allparities. However, the differences in milk conversion ratio were significant (P < 0.05) during the 2nd and 3rd week.
Conclusively, the results of the present study demonstrated that Moringa oleifera hay (leaves+ twigs) is good unconventional source of protein for feeding doe rabbits and could be added in the diet at levels up to 13.5% to replace about 75% of alfalfa hay without any adverse effects on reproductive and productive traits of New Zealand White doe rabbits.