Digestive physiology of rabbits in the pre- and post-weaning phases

Abstract

This review aimed to address all relevant parts of the digestive physiology of rabbits, before and after weaning, with a view to enabling greater understanding of these phases and reducing the mortality of kits. The biggest bottlenecks in Brazilian rabbit farming are linked to the period from birth to weaning, a time when the animals are more sensitive to environmental adverse events, requiring more rigid and efficient management due to their immune system being not fully developed. Throughout the period in which kits are with the females, many physiological changes occur, mainly in their gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which changes over time, depending on the type of food intake; in order to achieve its full capacity to utilize food, the intestine needs to undergo an adaptation from milk-based to solid diet. Thus, the digestive system in the intrauterine phase, in the nursing kits, and in the weaned babies will be covered. Therefore, understanding the physiology of baby rabbits proves to be of great value in reducing the mortality rate, so that management becomes more practical, providing producers with different problem-solving alternatives, in addition to greater profit.