INFLUENCE OF REPLACEMENT EGYPTIAN TREE WILLOW (Salix Safsaf) (LEAVES AND SMALL STEMS) WITH BERSEEM HAY ON SOME REPRODUCTIVE OF DOE RABBITS.

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing Berseem hay by different levels of Salix Safsaf hay on some reproductive and productive traits of doe rabbits and their offspring's, during the pregnancy and lactation periods. Thirty six New Zealand White (NZW) doe rabbits about 6-7 months old (2.990 - 3.150 kg) were randomly allotted between four experimental groups (9 rabbits in each treatment group).The control group was fed a basal diet, which including 34 Kg/100 Kg of Berseem hay(T1); the experimental groups received the basal diet replacement with 10.75, 17 and 23.25 Kg/100 Kg Salix Safsaf hay of (34 Kg/100 Kg) Berseem hay diets (T2, T3 and T4), respectively).The experimental period lasted three cycles. Body weights of does at first week of lactation and at weaning day were (P=0.01 and 0.004) higher in all experimental groups as compared to control group respectively, while the response of does body weights at initial weight, before and after parturition day were insignificantly affected. As well as gestation length (days) was not significant affected by the replacement of tree willow leaves. Does rabbits in groupT2 had (P=0.005) higher total feed intake during lactation period in compared with the T1, T3 and T4 group .But, during pregnancy total feed intake was insignificantly affected by replacing Berseem hay by different levels of Salix Safsaf hay. During lactation period weekly and total milk yield were different in treated groups. The improvement of milk yield at 2nd, 3rd and4th of lactation were (P=0.041, 0.005 and 0.05) increased in group T2 compared to the control group and the other experimental groups. Average litter weight at weaning and weight gain (P=0.0015 and 0.01) increased for groups T2 and T3 compared to groups T1 and T4, respectively. The same trends were observed in pre- weaning survival rate (%) from birth to weaning age fed diets including 25 and 50% Salix Safsaf. Replacing Berseem hay in does rabbit diets by Salix Safsaf hay reduced the feeding cost of experimental rabbits. Conclusively, Salix Safsaf hay can be considered as good source of principle compounds as Berseem hay. The results of the study revealed that all tested levels of Salix Safsaf hay were useful as a natural feed substitution with Berseem hay to maintain productive and could reduce the negative effects of feed cost for does rabbits.