This study aimed to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of commercial rabbit pelleted concentrate diet with potato processing waste (PPW) on some productive and reproductive parameters in rabbits.
The experiment was carried out on 18 growing female New Zealand white rabbits divided into three equal groups. Rabbits were ad.libitum fed on commercial diet (Control group) or diets contained 20%(Group 2) and 40% (Group3) PPW. Daily feed intake; body gain and feed conversion rate were weekly estimated in growing rabbits from 12th to 20th weeks. Rabbits were observed for the occurrence of puberty, allowed to be copulated and conception rates and kidding data were recorded. Samples were taken from PPW as well as from formulated diets for nutritive evaluation. Blood samples were collected once weekly from pubertal does and assayed for progesterone and some blood metabolites.
Results indicated that PPW contained relatively high contents of nitrogen free extract, potassium and amino acids; aspartic, glutamic and proline. Substitution of commercial diets with PPW increased the energy/protein ratio (14.96, 16.90 and 19.62 in groups 1,2 and 3 respectively) in the daily feed intake with no significant changes in feed conversion rate among the three groups. Puberty occurred earlier and at lighter weight in experimental groups as compared with the control group. Conception rates were 40.00, 33.33 and 50.00% at the first mating in groups 1,2 and 3 respectively. The first litter size was 3.66. 3.00 and 6.60. Kids daily gain averaged 7.67, 8.71 and 11.26 g in-groups 1,2 and 3 respectively. The incidence of does copulated from kidding to day 7 was 100.00. 00.00 and 100.00%, however, pregnancy rate was 00.00, 00.00 and 33.33% in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Blood analysis in pubertal does revealed non-significant changes in proteins, lipids or glucose values due to inclusion of PPW in the diet.