Energy partitioning of pregnant and lactating rabbit fed combination of concentrate and stylosanthes hamata hay

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine energy partitioning of pregnant and lactating rabbit offered levels of concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay to ascertain whether it meets their high reproductive and nutritional requirement. Forty-eight nulliparous crossbred does (New Zealand White x California and California x Chinchilla breeds) of eight months old were allocated to four dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. During gestation, 150 g/doe/day concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations (30:120g, 60:90g, 90:60g and 120:30g) was offered while 350 g/doe/day concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations (70:280g, 140:210g, 210:140g and 280:70g) was offered during lactation. Estimations of digestible energy during pregnancy and lactation were carried out and reference data were used to calculate forDE DE DE DE BalanceDE and DE /LW0.75. req, m, fg, macc, req Results obtained showed non-significant (P>0.05) difference among 90:60 and 120:30% concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations in terms of DM DE DE DE intake, intake, req, fg, DE BalanceDE and DE /LW0.75, but were significantly (P<0.05) higher than 30:120 and macc, req 60:90% concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations. Rabbit in the 4th week of pregnancy had significantly (P<0.05) higher DE DE DE DE BalanceDE and intake, req, fg, macc, DE /LW0.75 than does in the 2nd week of pregnancy. During lactation, all parameters showed req non-significant (P>0.05) difference. Therefore, the diet combinations were sufficient to provide adequate digestible energy for the physiological needs of does during pregnancy and lactation.