This study aimed at investigating effects of feeding doe rabbits on diets
containing different types of silage on their productive and reproductive performances
and growth performance of their bunnies. A total of 25 NZW doe rabbits (6 months
old) were allotted into 5 similar groups fed on 100% concentrate feed mixture (CFM)
and was served as control group (G1) as compared to those fed different types of
silage (30%) including carrot roots (G2), carrot tops (G3), berseem (G4) and corn
(G5) silages. All groups were fed on the tested rations from 6 weeks of age up to the
first litter size. Only inclusion of carrot tops silage inSignificantly reduced number of
service per conception and conception rate as compared to the control died and other
silage groups. However, LBW of does of parturition, gestation period, litter size (LS)
and litter weight (LW) at birth were not affected significantly by diets containing
silage. Only LS and LW at weaning were affected significantly (P<0.05) higher in all
silage groups than the control group, except berseem silage diet, which did not differ
significantly than the control and other silage groups. Average LBW of does at
different suckling weeks did not differ significantly among dietary groups, but only
does fed carrot roots silage diet did not show reduction in their weight through the
suckling weeks. Average daily milk yield was not affected by dietary treatments,
ranging between 133.8 and 154.7 g/day all silage groups versus 126.9 g/day in the
control group. Inclusion of silages in diets of does resulted in significant (P changes in fat, lactose, total solids and solids not fat in milk of does. Only, bunnies of
does fed corn silage diets showed significantly (P average silage during suckling weeks. Generally, feeding doe rabbits on berseem and corn silage diets resulted in some
improvement concerning milk yield and composition and in turn good growth
performance and viability of their bunnies.