Consequences of Calcium Supplements on Rabbit Does Maternal Behaviour and Productive Performance

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the influence of three calcium supplements on rabbit does maternal behaviour and productive performance. Twenty adult New Zealand white female rabbits 4-5 months of age were classified into four groups (A, B, C and D) according to the dose of calcium (control, 2.5, 5 and 10 g) added daily to the feeders and each group contains five females. Among four calcium supplementation groups, addition of 10 g calcium carbonate decrease the mean frequency of feeding, the mean does milk production (kg) and means of kits body weight (g) at birth, 21 days and 30 days of age but, increase the means of drinking frequency and duration (min). The higher significant (P ≤ 0.05) frequency of nursing behaviour was recorded in group B (2.5 g calcium). On the other hand, means of nursing duration (min.), mean body weight of the does (at kindling and at weaning of their litters), the mean litter size (at birth, born alive, still born, at days 21, 30 of age), the total pre-weaning mortality of kits and means of prolactin hormone level (ng/ml) did not significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different. In light of these results, we could conclude that calcium supplementations have a direct negative effect on ingestive behaviour, nursing behaviour and also, some productive traits of rabbit does.