ABSTRACT

Data from three different experiments conducted in National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) were used to evaluate partitioning of energy and protein by rabbit breeding does during pregnancy and lactation. In experiment 1, concentrate and lablab hay was used and the combinations were 20:130, 40:110, 80:70 and 100:50 in grams. In experiment 2, concentrate and stylosanthes hay in the following percentages were used, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40 and 80:20. In experiment 3, soy bean cheese waste plus Brachiaria hay was used in the following percentages, 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 100. Calculations were made using reference data. All data were subjected to analysis of variance using general linear model procedure (proc GLM). In experiment 1 for protein, treatment levels, stage of pregnancy and interactions had all their DCP balances positive. Both 80:70 and 100:50 combinations were significantly (P>0.05) higher than 20:130 and 40:110 combinations. For energy, treatment, stage of pregnancy and interaction between treatment and stage of pregnancy all had positive DE balances. During lactation, protein DCP balance was negative for all treatments while energy had negative DE balance in three treatment combinations (20:130, 40:110 and 100:50). In experiment 2, the DCP balances of the combinations 80:20 and 60:40 conc.: stylo. were significantly (P>0.05) higher than 40:60 and 20:80 combinations. Energy had positive DE balances in all treatments. The DE balances of 80:20 and 60:40 combinations were significantly (P>0.05) higher than 40:60 and 20:80 combinations. During lactation in protein, all the treatments had negative DCP balance. In energy, all treatments had positive DE balances. In experiment 3 for protein, all treatments had positive DCP balances except 20%BCW which was negative. Energy during pregnancy had positive balances. During lactation in experiment 3 for protein, all treatments had negative DCP balances. Energy had positive DE balances. All combinations of concentrate and lablab were adequate for pregnant does. During lactation, the combinations were adequate in terms of energy but inadequate for protein. Similarly, all combinations of concentrate and Stylosanthes were adequate for pregnant and lactating does. Soy bean cheese waste plus Brachiaria hay was also adequate for pregnancy while for lactation, energy was adequate but protein was inadequate.