Effect of the Microclimatic Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on the Productivity Performance of Rabbit

Abstract

Temperature-humidity index (THI) is a useful and easy way to assess the risk to heat stress. This index combines effects of environmental temperature and relative humidity. This study was conducted to determine the temperature-humidity index and to assess its effects on breeding does' productivity potential at the rabbit house of the University of Benin Teaching and Research Farm. Data on microclimatic factors of ambient temperature (TEMP) and relative humidity (RH) of the rabbit house were obtained on monthly bases for 1 year. The year was divided into four seasons: late dry (January to March), early rain (April to June), late rain (July to September), and early dry (October to December). Temperature-humidity index was calculated using the ambient temperature and relative humidity values obtained on monthly and seasonal bases. The estimated values for TEMP were 34.78 ± 0.17, 33.41 ± 0.22, 31.17 ± 0.22, and 33.55 ± 0.19°C for late dry, early rain, late rain, and early dry seasons, respectively (p < 0.05), and the corresponding RH values were 56.89 ± 0.17, 57.23 ± 0.16, 59.03 ± 0.25, and 57.17 ± 0.20% (p < 0.05). The highest and lowest THI values were reported in late dry (32.03 ± 0.14) and in late rain (29.03 ± 0.19) (p < 0.05), in agreement with the higher and lower thermal stress in these seasons. In relation to the productivity of does, percentage conception rate ranged from 0 to 20% in late dry vs. from 52 to 56% in late rain. In conclusion, the most favorable season was late rain with the lowest THI and the highest productivity potential parameters.

Conejera alternativa a pequeña escala y su monitoreo ambiental utilizando sensores basados en Internet de las cosas (IoT)

“…It is detrimental to subject rabbits to high temperatures. It would result in reduced calcium, protein and albumin levels in rabbits (19), reduced conception rate, increased kindling interval and a higher rate of mating failure (16,17,9), reduced growth, low resistance to diseases and poor breeding performance (18). Subjecting rabbits to high temperature and high relative humidity could be stressful and detrimental to their health, production and welfare.…”

Effects of Dietary Acacia nilotica Fruit, Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Combination on Productive Performance, Zinc Retention, and Blood Biochemistry of Rabbits

“…Given that rabbits are particularly heat-sensitive due to their small number of sweat glands and difficulty reducing their body heat, environmental circumstances continue to be significant obstacles to producing meat [2]. Animal productivity, physiological health, and reproductive efficiency are all impacted by hot climatic conditions [3][4][5][6]. One of the necessary nutrients that can be supplemented in animal diets is zinc (Zn), which may enhance immunological function, growth, bone development, nutrient retention, and enzyme structure [7,8].…”