Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T19:33:26.587Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Feeding strategy for young rabbits around weaning: a review of digestive capacity and nutritional needs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2016

T. Gidenne  and
L. Fortun-Lamothe
T. Gidenne*
Affiliation:
Station de Recherches Cunicoles, INRA, Centre de Recherches de Toulouse, BP 27, 31326 Castanet Tolosan
L. Fortun-Lamothe
Affiliation:
Station de Recherches Cunicoles, INRA, Centre de Recherches de Toulouse, BP 27, 31326 Castanet Tolosan
*
E-mail:[email protected]
Get access

Abstract

The digestive maturation of the young rabbit is reviewed. It indicates that their nutritional needs and those of lactating females are antagonistic in many aspects. Energy requirements of lactating females are very high, whilst a low starch, high fibre diet around weaning improves the health of the young after weaning. To solve this problem, several feeding and management strategies are presented and discussed. If weaning occurs between 28 and 35 days of age, feeding the young with a specific diet, different from the female’s, seems an effective solution. Otherwise, it is necessary to find a compromise between the needs of the litter and of the doe. Early weaning (< 26 days) could be also a promising way to provide adequate feeding for the young as soon as they begin to eat solid food.

Keywords

digestionhealthnutritionrabbitsweaning
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 75 , Issue 2 , October 2002 , pp. 169 - 184
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2002

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alus, G. and Edwards, N. A. 1977. Development of the digestive tract of the rabbit from birth to weaning. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 36: 3A.Google ScholarPubMed
Angelo, I. A. and Srivastava, A. 1979. A study of the development of proteases in rabbit stomachs. Milchwissenschaft 34: 220–222.Google Scholar
Barreto, G. and Blas, J. C. de. 1993. Effect of dietary fibre and fat content on the reproductive performance of rabbit does bred at two remating times during two seasons. World Rabbit Science 1: 77–81.Google Scholar
Bernadac, A., Moreau, H. and Verger, R. 1991. Gastric lipase and pepsinogen during the ontogenesis of rabbit gastric glands. European Journal of Cellular Biology 55: 149–157.Google ScholarPubMed
Blas, C. de and Mateos, G. G. 1998. Feed formulation. In The nutrition of the rabbit (ed. Blas, C. de and Wiseman, J.), pp. 241–254. CABI Publishing, Wallingford.Google Scholar
Blas, E. and Gidenne, T. 1998. Digestion of starch and sugars. In The nutrition of the rabbit (ed. Blas, C. de and Wiseman, J.), pp. 17–38. CABI Publishing, Wallingford.Google Scholar
Boulahrouf, A., Fonty, G. and Gouet, P. 1991. Establishment, counts and identification of the fibrolytic bacteria in the digestive tract of rabbit. Influence of feed cellulose content. Current Microbiology 22: 1–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brooks, D. L. 1979. Endemic diarrhea of domestic rabbits in California. Ph.D. thesis, University of California. Google Scholar
Butcher, C., Bryant, M. J., Owen, E., Leach, I. and Machin, D. H. 1983. The effect of dietary metabolizable energy concentration upon the pre- and post-weaning performance of growing rabbits. Animal Production 36: 229–236.Google Scholar
Canas Rodriguez, A. and Smith, H. W. 1966. The identification of the antimicrobial factors of the stomach content of sucking rabbits. Biochemical Journal 100: 79–82.Google Scholar
Candau, M., Delpon, G. and Fioramonti, J. 1978. Influence de la nature des glucides membranaires sur le développement anatomo fonctionnel du tractus digestif du lapin. Proceedings of the second journées recherche cunicoles, Toulouse, vol. 1, pp. 1–1. 4.Google Scholar
Castellini, C. and Battaglini, M. 1991. Influenza della concentrazione energetica della razione e del ritmo riproduttivo sulle performance delle coniglie. Proceedings of the IX Congrezo Nazionale del Aspa, pp. 477–488.Google Scholar
Catala, J. 1980. Variations de l’activité de certaines enzymes de la bordure en brosse chez le lapin privé de digestion pancréatique. Proceedings of the second world rabbit congress, Barcelone, vol. 1, pp. 90–98.Google Scholar
Cervera, C., Fernandez-Carmona, J., Viudes, P. and Blas, E. 1993. Effect of remating interval and diet on the performance of female rabbits and their litters. Animal Production 56: 399–405.Google Scholar
Chmitelin, F., Hache, B. and Rouillere, H. 1990. Alimentation de présevrage: intérêt pour les lapereaux, répercussions sur les performances de reproduction des femelles. Proceedings of the fifth journées recherche cunicoles, Paris, vol. 1, communication no. 60.Google Scholar
Christ, B., Lange, K. and Jeroch, H. 1996. Effect of dietary fat on fat content and fatty acid composition of does milk. Proceedings of the sixth world rabbit congress, Toulouse, vol. 1, pp. 135–138.Google Scholar
Cole, C. B., Scott, K. J., Henschel, M. J., Coates, M. E., Ford, J. E. and Fuller, R. 1982. Trace nutrient binding proteins in milk and the growth of bacteria in the gut of infant rabbits. British Journal of Nutrition 49: 231–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Corring, T., Lebas, F. and Courtot, D. 1972. Contrôle de l’évolution de l’équipement enzymatique du pancréas exocrine du lapin de la naissance à 6 semaines. Annales de Biologie Animale Biochimie et Biophysique 12: 221–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Debray, L. 2002. Nutrition du lapereau en période de sevrage: interactions avec les besoins nutritionnels de la femelle. Doctoral thesis, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse.Google Scholar
Debray, L., Fortun-Lamothe, L. and Gidenne, T. 2002. Influence of low dietary starch/fibre ratio around weaning on intake behaviour, performance and health status of young and rabbit does. Animal Research 51: 63–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Debray, L., Gidenne, T. and Fortun-Lamothe, L. 2001a. Evolution of intestinal enzymatic digestive capacity of rabbit around weaning. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4. COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, pp. 37–38.Google Scholar
Debray, L., Gidenne, T., Fortun-Lamothe, L. and Arveux, P. 2001b. Efficacité digestive des lapereaux avant et après sevrage en fonction de la source énergétique du régime. Proceedings of ninth journées recherche cunicoles, Paris, pp. 191–194.Google Scholar
Dojana˘, N., Costache, M. and Dinischiotu, A. 1998. The activity of some digestive enzymes in domestic rabbits before and after weaning. Animal Science 66: 501–507.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duperray, J. 1993. Intérêt d’un aliment périsevrage dans l’optimisation d’un programme alimentaire. Cuniculture 110: 79–82.Google Scholar
Ferguson, F. A., Lukefahr, S.D. and McNitt, J. I. 1997. A technical note on artificial milk feeding of rabbit kits weaned at 14 days. World Rabbit Science 5: 65–70.Google Scholar
Fernandez, C., Cobos, A. and Fraga, M. J. 1994. The effect of fat inclusion on diet digestibility in growing rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 72: 1508–1515.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fonty, G., Gouet, P. and Riou, Y. 1979. Effect of milk composition on the gastrointestinal microflora of the rabbit. Annales de Biologie Animale, Biochimie et Biophysique 19: 567–571.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fortun, L. and Lebas, F. 1994. Influence of the number of suckling young and the feed level on foetal survival and growth in rabbit does. Annales de Zootechnie 43: 163–171.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fortun-Lamothe, L. 1997. Effects of dietary fat in reproductive performance of rabbit does. World Rabbit Science 5: 33–38.Google Scholar
Fortun-Lamothe, L. and Bolet, G. 1995. Les effets de la lactation sur les performances de reproduction chez la lapine. INRA Production Animale 8: 49–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fortun-Lamothe, L. and Gidenne, T. 2000. Effects of the suckled litter size on intake behaviour, performance and health status of young and reproducing rabbits. Annales de Zootechnie 49: 517–529.Google Scholar
Fortun-Lamothe, L., Gidenne, T., Chalaye, F. and Debray L. 2001. Feeding strategy around weaning: effects of dietary starch/fibres ratio. Proceedings of the ninth journées recherche cunicoles Paris, pp. 195–198.Google Scholar
Fortun-Lamothe, L., Gidenne, T., Lapanouse, A. and Dapper, J. de. 2000. Technical note: an original system to separately control litter and female feed intake without modification of the mother-young relations. World Rabbit Science 8: 177–180.Google Scholar
Fortun-Lamothe, L. and Lebas, F. 1996. Effects of dietary energy level and source on foetal development and energy balance in concurrently pregnant and lactating primiparous rabbit does. Animal Science 62: 615–620.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fraga, M. J., Lorente, M., Carabaño, R. M. and Blas, J. C. de. 1989. Effect of diet and of remating interval on milk production and milk composition of the doe rabbit. Animal Production 48: 459–466.Google Scholar
Gidenne, L. and Fortun-Lamothe, L. 2001. Early weaning: effects on performances and health. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4. COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, p. 44.Google Scholar
Gidenne, L. and Licois, D. 2001. Interaction between nutritional status and digestive pathology of the growing rabbit: resistance to an enteropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli according to dietary fibre level and consequences on caecal fermentative activity. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4, COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, p. 61.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T. 1997. Caeco-colic digestion in the growing rabbit: impact of nutritional factors and related disturbances. Livestock Production Science 51: 73–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gidenne, T. 2000. Recent advances and perspectives in rabbit nutrition: emphasis on fibre requirements. World Rabbit Science 8: 23–32.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T., Jehl, N., Ségura, M. and Michalet-Doreau, B. 2002. Microbial activity in the caecum of the young rabbit: impact of a dietary fibre deficiency and of intake level. Animal Feed Science and Technology In press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gidenne, T., Kerdiles, V., Jehl, N., Arveux, P., Briens, C., Eckenfelder, B., Fortune, H., Montessuy, S., Muraz, G. and Stephan, S. 2001. An increase of dietary ratio “digestible fibre/ crude protein” doe not affect the performances of the growing rabbit but reduce enteritis incidence: preliminary results of a multi-site study. Proceedings of the ninth journées recherche cunicoles, Paris, pp. 65–68.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T., Pinheiro, V. and Falcao E Cunha, L. 2000. A comprehensive approach of the rabbit digestion: consequences of a reduction in dietary fibre supply. Livestock Production Science 64: 225–237.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gouet, P. and Fonty, G. 1979. Changes in the digestive microflora of holoxenic rabbits from birth until adulthood. Annales de Biologie Animale, Biochimie et Biophysique 19: 553–566.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guerder, F. 2001. Résultats de GTE Renalap. Cuniculture 28: 171–175.Google Scholar
Guttiérrez, I., Espinosa, A., Carabaño, R. and Blas, J. C. de. 2000a. Efecto de la adicion de lactosa en piensos de gazapos destetados precozmente. Proceedings of the rabbit breeding seminar, EXPOAVIGA, Barcelona, Spain.Google Scholar
Guttiérrez, I., Espinosa, A., Carabaño, R. and Blas, J. C. de. 2000b. Efecto del nivel de fibra en piensos de gazapos destetados precozmente. Proceedings of the rabbit breeding seminar, EXPOAVIGA, Barcelona, Spain.Google Scholar
Guttiérrez, I., Espinosa, A., Carabaño, R. and Blas, J. C. de. 2001a. Alimentacion de gazapos destetados precozmente. I. Effect of source of starch, heat processing and use of exogenous enzymes in starter diets in rabbits. Proceedings of the ASESCU, Spain.Google Scholar
Guttiérrez, I., Espinosa, A., Carabaño, R. and Blas, J. C. de. 2001b. Alimentacion de gazapos destetados precozmente. II. Effect of type of vegetable protein on growth and mortality of early weaned rabbits. Proceedings of the ASESCU, Spain. Google Scholar
Gyarmati, T., Szendro, Z., Maertens, L., Biro-Németh, E., Radnai, I., Milisits, G. and Matics, Z. 2000. Effect of suckling twice a day on the performance of suckling and growing rabbits. Proceedings of the seventh world rabbit congress, Valencia. World Rabbit Science suppl. 8, vol. C: 283–290.Google Scholar
Hage, M. H. van der. 1988. The morphogenesis of the small intestinal mucosa of the rabbit. A stereomicroscopical study. Proceedings of the fourth world rabbit congress, Budapest, vol 3, pp. 347–355.Google Scholar
Lebas, F. 2000. General physiology of the rabbit. In Enfermedades del conejo (ed. Rossel, J. M.), pp. 55–126. Mundi Prensa, Madrid.Google Scholar
Lebas, F. and Laplace, J. P. 1972. Mensurations viscérales chez le lapin. 1. Croissance du foie, des reins et des divers segments intestinaux entre 3 et 11 semaines d’âge. Annales de Zootechnie 21: 37–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lebas, F. and Maître, I. 1989. Alimentation de présevrage: étude d’un aliment riche en énergie et pauvre en protéine. Résultats de 2 essais. Cuniculture 16: 135–140.Google Scholar
Licois, D. and Gidenne, T. 1999. L’emploi d’un régime déficient en fibres par le lapereau augmente sa sensibilité vis à vis d’une infection expérimentale par une souche d’Escherichia coli entéropathogène. Proceedings of the eighth journées recherche cunicoles, Paris, pp. 101–104.Google Scholar
MacNitt, J. I. and Moody, G. L. 1992. A method for weaning rabbit kits at 14 days. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research 15: 661–665.Google Scholar
Maertens, L. and Groote, G. de. 1988. The influence of the dietary energy content on the performances of post partum breeding does. Proceedings of the fourth world rabbit congress, Budapest, vol. C, pp. 42–52.Google Scholar
Maertens, L. and Groote, G. de. 1990. Feed intake of rabbit kits before weaning and attempts to increase it. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research 13: 151–158.Google Scholar
Maertens, L., Luzi, F. and Groote, G. de. 1997. Effect of dietary protein and amino acids on the performance, carcass composition and N-excretion of growing rabbits. Annales de Zootechnie 46: 255–268.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maertens, L. and Piattoni, F. 2001. Effect of weaning age and solid feed distribution before weaning on performances, caecal traits and caecal fermentation pattern of young rabbits. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4, COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, pp. 45–46.Google Scholar
Marounek, M., Vovk, S. J. and Skrivanova, V. 1995. Distribution of activity of hydrolytic enzymes in the digestive tract of rabbits. British Journal of Nutrition 73: 463–469.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Messager, B. 1993. Un aliment de présevrage réservé aux lapereaux. Cuniculture 110: 77–78.Google Scholar
Morisse, J. P., Maurice, R., Le Gall, G. and Boilletot, E. 1989. Interêt zootechnique et sanitaire d’un aliment de présevrage chez le lapereau. Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire 140: 501–506.Google Scholar
Mousset, J. L., Lebas, F. and Mercier, P. 1993. Utilisation d’un aliment de péri-sevrage. Cuniculture 110: 83–87.Google Scholar
Padilha, M. T. S., Licois, D. and Coudert, P. 1996. Frequency of the carriage and enumeration of Escherishia coli in caecal content of 15 to 49 day old rabbits. Proceedings of the sixth world rabbit congress, Toulouse, vol. 3, pp. 99–102.Google Scholar
Padilha, M. T. S., Licois, D., Gidenne, T. and Carré, B. 1999. Caecal microflora and fermentation pattern in exclusively milk-fed young rabbits. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 39: 223–230.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Padilha, M. T. S., Licois, D., Gidenne, T., Carré, B. and Fonty, G. 1995. Relationships between microflora and caecal fermentation in rabbits before and after weaning. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 35: 375–386.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parigi-Bini, R. and Xiccato, G. 1998. Energy metabolism and requirements. In The nutrition of the rabbit (ed. C. de Blas and Wiseman, J.), pp. 103–132. CABI Publishing, Wallingford.Google Scholar
Parigi-Bini, R., Xiccato, G., Cinetto, M. and Dalle Zotte, A. 1991. Efficienza digestiva e ritenzione energetica e proteica dei coniglietti durante l’allatamento e lo svezzamento. Zootecnica e Nutrizione Animale 17: 167–180.Google Scholar
Pascual, J. J. 2001. Recent advances on early weaning and nutrition around weaning. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4, COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, pp. 31–36.Google Scholar
Pascual, J. J., Cervera, C., Blas, E. and Fernadez-Carmona, J. 1998. Effect of high fat diets on the performance and food intake of primiparous and multiparous rabbit does. Animal Science 66: 491–499.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pascual, J. J., Cervera, C. and Fernandez-Carmona, J. 2001a. Effect of solid food intake before weaning on the performance of growing rabbits. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4, COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, 48.Google Scholar
Pascual, J. J., Cervera, C. and Fernandez-Carmona, J. 2001b. In vivo evolution of the corporal condition on primiparous rabbit does. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4. COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, p. 49.Google Scholar
Pascual, J. J., Tolosa, C., Cervera, C., Blas, E. and Fernandez-Carmona, J. 1999. Effect of diets with different digestible energy content on the performance of rabbit does. Animal Feed Science and Technology 81: 105–117.Google Scholar
Perret, J. P. 1980. Lipolyse gastrique des triglycérides du lait maternel, et absorption gastrique des acides gras à chaine moyenne chez le lapereau. Journal of Physiology 76: 159–166.Google Scholar
Piattoni, F., Maertens, L. and Mazzoni, D. 1999. Effect of weaning age and solid feed distribution before weaning on performances and caecal traits of young rabbits. Cahiers Options Méditérranéennes 41: 85–91.Google Scholar
Pinheiro, V., Gidenne, T., Falcão, E. and Cunha, L. 2001. Effect of age on bacterial fibrolytic activity of caecal flora of rabbit. European meeting COST848, workshop nutrition and pathology, 29-30 June 2001, Budapest, p. 50.Google Scholar
Prud’hon, M. and Bel, L. 1968. Le sevrage précoce des lapereaux et la reproduction des lapines. Annales de Zootechnie 17: 23–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sabatakou, O., Xylouri-Frangiadaki, E., Paraskevakou, E. and Papantonakis, K. 1999a. Scanning electron microscopy of large intestine (caecum and colon) of rabbit during foetal and post-natal life. Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology 31: 231–236.Google ScholarPubMed
Sabatakou, O., Xylouri-Frangiadaki, E., Paraskevakou, E. and Papantonakis, K. 1999b. Scanning electron microscopy of stomach and small intestine of rabbit during foetal and post natal life. Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology 31: 107–114.Google Scholar
Scapinello, C., Gidenne, T. and Fortun-Lamothe, L. 1999. Digestive intake capacity of the rabbit during the post-weaning period, according to the milk/solid intake pattern before weaning. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 39: 423–432.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, H. W. 1965. The development of the flora of the alimentary tract in young animals. Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology 90: 495–513.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wu, Y. 1986. Studies on the characteristics of gastric digestion in rabbit. Chinese Journal of Rabbit Farming 1: 31–36.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G. 1996. Nutrition of lactating does. Proceedings of the sixth world rabbit congress, Toulouse, vol. 1, pp. 29–48.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G., Trocino, A., Queaque, P. I. and Sartori, A. 2001a. Effect of weaning age and parity order on reproductive performance and body balance of rabbit does. Proceedings of the second meeting of workgroups 3 and 4, COST Action 848, 29-30 June 2001, Godollo, Hungary, pp. 54–55.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G., Trocino, A., Sartori, A. and Queaque, P. I. 2000. Early weaning of rabbits: effect of age and diet on weaning and post weaning performance. Proceedings of the seventh world rabbit congress, Valencia, vol. C, pp. 483–490.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G., Trocino, A., Sartori, A. and Queaque, P. I. 2001b. Influence de l’âge, du sevrage précoce et de l’aliment sur le développement des organes digest ferme caecales chez le jeune lapin. Proceedings of the ninth journées recherche cunicoles, Paris, pp. 199–202.Google Scholar
Yu, B. and Chiou, P. W. S. 1997. The morphological changes of intestinal mucosa in growing rabbits. Laboratory Animals 31: 254–263.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zomborszky-Kovács, M., Gyarmati, T., Párizs, T., Szendrõ, Z., Kametler, I. and Tóth, A. 2000. Some physiological properties of the digestive tract in traditionally reared and exclusively milk-fed young rabbits. Proceedings of the seventh world rabbit congress, Valence, vol. C, pp. 499–506.Google Scholar