The present work was aimed to study the reproductive capability of fattened Hy-Plus rabbit does as influenced by feed restriction regimes. Eighty seven fattened mature Hy-plus multiparous rabbit does (aged 14 months and weighed 4681 ± 72 g) were used.
The rabbit does were divided into three experimental homogeneous comparable groups (29 does each). The first group (control) was fed 150 g/ doe daily a commercial diet. While the 2nd and the 3rd groups (treated groups) were fed the same diets but does in the light restriction regime (LR) were fed 120 g diet/ doe/ day for up 14 days and those in strong restriction regime (SR) were fed 100 g diet/ doe/ day for up 3 days before their inseminated artificially, respectively. All does within all groups were fed 170 g diet/ doe daily, after insemination.
Results obtained showed that, body weights of fattened Hy-Plus rabbit does at insemination, at day10 of pregnancy and at weaning day were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by feed restriction regime means. Weights were arranged (P≤0.05) descendingly as recorded by rabbit does in control, SR then LR group, respectively. While weights at day 20 of pregnancy and on delivery day were insignificantly high and in descending order of does, control; SR then LR, respectively.Blood picture and total protein and its fractions and some enzymes indicated that liver and kidney functions of fattened mature Hy-plus rabbit does significantly (P≤0.05) affected by feed restriction regime. Such parameters were better (P≤0.05) descendingly being SR and LR regime, than control group, respectively. Sexual hormones concentration and leptin hormone levels in blood were significantly (P≤0.05) high, while leptin hormone concentrations in milk were non-significantly low in SR regime and LR regime, than control group, respectively. Fertility trait was affected (P≤0.05) by feed restriction regime. Each of conception; kindling and abortion rates and litter size and weight at birth and at weaning were significantly (P≤0.05) high due to SR regime followed by LR regime, then control group. Bunny weight at birth and at weaning didn't affected significantly by feed restriction regime, while rabbit does exposed to LR regime recorded pre-weaning mortality rates significantly (P≤0.05) higher than those of SR regime, then control group. Milk yield and milk lactose of fattened Hy-Plus rabbit does were high (P≤0.05) due to SR regime, then LR regime and control group.While percentages of milk protein; fat and ash didn't affected significantly by feed restriction regime
Conclusively, it could be concluded that, there was strong relationship between low fertility of rabbit does and their fattening. Deleteriously effects of fattening on rabbit does reproductivity could be alleviated by using feed restriction regime.