Resumen de The effect of stocking density and feeder types on the performance of growing rabbits under conditions prevailing in Cameroon.
J.N. Mbanya, B.N. Ndoping, R.T. Fomunyam, A. Noumbissi, E.S. Mbomi, E.N. Fai, A. Teguia
Weaned rabbits fed with a maize based diet supplemented with Guatemala grass were used in a factorial experiment to compare the effects of stocking rate (5 vs 10 per m²) and feeder type on production parameters and mortality over an 8 week period under Cameroon conditions. Stocking rate did not affect (p>0.05) feed intake, feed conversion efficiency or mortality rates. Increasing the number of animals from 2 to 4 in a cage resulted in a significant decrease in daily weight gain (P<0.05) and final body weight (p<0.01) and a significant (P<0.01) increase in the amount of feed wasted. The type of feeder had no significant (P>0.05) effect on feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion efficiency or mortality rate. However, feed wastage was significantly (P<0.01) affected by feeder type and was greatest with the metallic J-feeder. The sex of the animal did not affect (P>0.05) any of the parameters measured. The interaction between sex, feeder type, and cage density had a significant (P<0.01) effect only on feed wastage. The results of the study showed that rearing rabbits in pairs per cage and using a cylindrical metallic tin feeder would enhance faster growth and reduce the amount of feed wasted.
