Resumen de FR 06. Doe rabbit performances in Martinique

E. Depres, H. Marie-Nely, D. Demerson, G. Saleil

• The purpose of this study was to analyse the litter size performance and to estimate the effect of farms, month of weaning and litter size on the reproductive performances of doe rabbits reared under semi-intensive conditions in Martinique. Data were collected from 5 farms units in Martinique between February 1994 and September 1995. Rabbitries were populated with locally adapted stock of mixed breeding, including contributions from several breeds - New Zealand White, Californian and local breed. The percentage of stillborn and the percentage of kits dead between kindling and weaning were significantly different between litter sizes at birth. The percentage of mortinatality was significantly smaller in litter size including between 6-9 (6.95 %) than the other groups: respectively 10.75 % and 10.69 %. Preweaning mortality was higher in litter sizes > 10 than others groups (39.53 % vs 28.29 % and 25.96 %). This result showed that the optimum litter size was included between 6-9 kits total bom by litter. The doe performance traits reported in this study were comparable with those reviewed and reported by different authors in Caribbean island, but were inferior to those observed in temperate climate. Beyong the unfavorable effect of the month of weaning, some of these differences in performances were connected with high frequency of “small” litter size and quit high general mortality. The improvement in management of mating and reproductive replacement and the satisfaction of nutrient requirements for nursing does could certainly increase the doe performances in Martinique. Besides, the generalization of cross-fostering to equilize the litter size between 6-9 kits, could to enable to control the mortality between kindling and weaning.