Influence of Housing Systems on the Performance and Reproductive Characteristics of Wearner Rabbits Reared in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of rabbits reared under three different housing systems; (a) conventional housing system (hutch, control), (b) non conventional housing system (deep litter system) and (c) another non conventional system (bare mud floor). The two non-conventional systems were adopted to conform to methods currently employed by ordinary peasants. The study lasted 28 weeks. A total number of 30 adult rabbits of the medium sized breed category of both sexes aged 5-6 months were assigned randomly to the groups:- A (control: cage system), B (deep litter-cemented floor) C (bare floor) each group comprising 7 females and 3 males. Several observations were made including conception rate, litter size, weight gain etc. Results obtained from the production parameters indicated a higher conception rate in group C (70.63%) over and above the cage system (49.00%) and the deep litter system (60.34%). The mean litter size, kindling rate and average number of animals weaned were also significantly different (P<0.05) in favor of the non-conventional housing systems. There was a significant difference in the age and weight at puberty, mean age between rabbits in the three different systems. Percentage pseudo-pregnancy was higher in the conventional housing system than in the non-conventional housing systems. Adult and litter mortality was higher in the conventional housing system than in the non-conventional housing systems, (cage 15%), deep litter 10% and bare mud floor 5%. Results of the production parameters showed significant difference in body weight (P<0.05) among rabbits reared under the three systems. For instance, average total weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the rabbits in floor system (0.68 kg) as against rabbits placed on deep litter system (0.52 kg) and that of cage system (0.59 kg). Comparative analysis of the production/reproduction parameters vis-a-vis production cost in the 3 groups favoured the non-conventional housing system (bare floor), which is cost effective in terms of production and also guarantees lower mortality and higher production. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers