The effect of litter size before weaning on subsequent body development, feed intake, and reproductive performance of young rabbit does.

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Rommers ◽  
B Kemp ◽  
R Meijerhof ◽  
J P Noordhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Young Rabbit ◽  
Body Development

scholarly journals Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Large White ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level Of Significance

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight

scholarly journals Effect of restricted feeding under rearing on reproduction, body condition and blood metabolites of rabbit does selected for growth rate

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Naturil-Alfonso ◽  
F. Marco-Jiménez ◽  
J.J. Pascual ◽  
J.S. Vicente
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Young Rabbit ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Perirenal Fat

Young rabbit females selected for growth rate can have nutritional needs which may not be met by the common practice of feed restriction during rearing in commercial rabbit production. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of two different feeding programmes: restricted and ad libitum feeding, applied in young rabbit females for one month at the end of rearing, on reproductive performance, body condition and circulating metabolic hormones and metabolites in a rabbit line selected by growth rate in 3 consecutive reproductive cycles. Thus, twenty-four 16-week-old does were randomly assigned to a group in which the daily recommended nutrient intakes were satisfied (fed restricted: 130 g/day, n=13) or a group fed to satiety (ad libitum: 235.5 g/day, n=11) during one month. Then, all does were inseminated in 3 consecutive cycles using a 42-day reproductive cycle. Measurements of does’ body weight, perirenal fat thickness and plasma leptin, non-esterified-fatty-acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and fructosamine were performed at artificial insemination (AI), parturition and weaning time in 3 consecutive cycles. Reproductive performance of does was evaluated based on fertility, litter size at parturition, prolificacy and productivity. Differences in body weight were found only in the 1<sup>st</sup> cycle, ad libitum fed females being heavier than restricted ones. Nevertheless, body weight variances disappeared in later cycles. No differences were found in perirenal fat thickness. Finally, in ad libitum fed females slight differences were found in plasma levels of NEFAs (452 vs. 258 μekv/L and 527 vs. 306 μekv/L for 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> cycles) and BOHB (0.26 vs. 0.03 mM for 2<sup>nd</sup> cycle), but disappeared in the 3<sup>rd</sup> reproductive cycle. Fertility, prolificacy and productivity was not significantly affected by the feeding programme. Nevertheless, total litter size showed to be higher in ad libitum fed females at second parturition (8.7 vs. 5.9 kits). Therefore, the evaluated feeding programmes until first AI in females selected by growth rate had no effect on their reproductive outcomes, as the global reproductive performance was not affected.

EFFECT OF GESTATION HOUSING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF YORKSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE × LACOMBE SOWS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. DYCK ◽  
J. H. STRAIN ◽  
E. E. SWIERSTRA
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Average Gain ◽  
Housing Environment

Forty-eight Yorkshire (Y) and 48 Yorkshire × Lacombe (YL) primiparous sows were used to evaluate the effect of outside lot and confinement housing from weaning to parturition on reproductive performance over the second to fourth parity. Feed intake of the sows housed in the outside lots was adjusted monthly to provide a similar average gain (54 kg) to that of sows housed in confinement (56 kg). All sows were bred by AI. Sows that did not conceive to mating at the first or second estrus were culled from the experiment. More (P < 0.05) sows housed in the outside lots than in confinement completed the experiment (77.1 vs. 52.1%, respectively). The number of sows that failed to conceive was similar for both treatments but 12 sows housed in confinement and one housed in outside lots were culled due to injury or death. The sows housed in outside lots weaned more (P < 0.01) piglets (8.42 ± 0.23 vs. 7.49 ± 0.25) than those housed in confinement while the number of piglets born (10.20 ± 0.15) and born alive (9.79 ± 0.14) and the weight at birth (1.31 ± 0.02 kg) and weaning (9.45 ± 0.09 kg) were similar. As anticipated, the YL sows farrowed and weaned more and heavier piglets (P < 0.01) than the Y sows. The housing environment did not have a significant effect on the farrowing interval which averaged 159.3 ± 0.6 days. These results indicate that effects of housing conditions from weaning to parturition are limited to the number of sows culled and the number of piglets weaned. Key words: Sows, gestation housing, litter size

scholarly journals Effect of rebreeding interval on reproductive performance and body weight changes of does during pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-152
Author(s):  
G. T. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor ◽  
E. O. Oyedipe ◽  
L. O. Eduvie ◽  
D. Ogwu
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Body Weight Changes ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
Size At Birth

The effect of rebreeding interval on the reproductive performance and body weight changes of does during pregnancy was investigated using 24 multiparous crossbred (New Zealand White X California) does. The does were placed on three treatments comprising mating at 14, 21 and 28 days postpartum. The docs were served 250g-concentrate meal (23% CP und 2600 kcal ME/kg) daily, while water was given ad libitum. Parameters monitored were doe willingness to mate, doe weights during pregnancy, feed intake, pregnancy rate, litter size and weight at birth, alive at birth and up to 21 days postpartum and stillbirth rate. Kits were weaned at 4 weeks of age. Results obtained showed that does mated 14 days postpartum lost more weight in the second week of pregnancy than the other groups. Rebreeding interval did not significantly (P>0.05) affect doe weight gain in the 19, 3" and 4th weeks of pregnancy. Does mated 14-d postpartum had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake during the l", 2nd and 3rd weeks of pregnancy. Feed:guin ratio was higher for does mated 21 d postpartum than for other treatments. Pregnancy rate was higher in the 14-d group and lowest in the 28-d group. Willingness to mate also decreased with increasing rebreeding interval. Litter size at birth, number of kits alive at birth and up to 28 days postpartum were not affected (P>0.05) by rebreeding interval as was the case for litter birth weight and percent stillbirths. Does mated 14 days postpartum however, had numerically more kits alive at birth and up to 28 days postpartum than the other groups. Litter weights were slightly higher for does mated 14 and 21 days postpartum than 28 days. It is concluded from this study that mating does 14 days postpartum under tropical conditions could increase the number of kits weaned per doe and hence increase profitability of the rabbit production enterprise. 

scholarly journals Effect of flushing on reproductive performance of rabbits.

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-141
Author(s):  
G. T. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Protein Requirement ◽  
Size At Birth

Twenty eight (28) multiparous crossbred does were placed on four diets consisting of 16, 18, 20 and 24% CP for two weeks before mating and one week after mating to evaluate the effect of flushing on the reproductive performance of rabbits. The does were placed on 16% CP diet during pregnancy and 18% CP diet during lactation  Results obtained showed similar (P>0.05) weight changes and feed intake for all the groups though does fed the 16% CP diet lost weight. Does flushed with 18, 20 and 24% CP had slightly larger litter size at birth while 18% and 20% CP flushed does had slightly larger litter size alive at birth than 16 and 24% CP does. Litter size at 21 days postpartum was significantly (P<0.05) higher for does flushed with 20 and 24% CP than those flushed with 16 and 18% CP. Litter weights were significantly (p<0.05) higher for 20% and 24% CP flushed than 16 and 18% CP flushed does at 7 , 14- and 21-day postpartum. Stillbirths increased with increase in protein level up to 20% CP level before decreasing slightly ar 24% CP. Kit mortality rates at 0-7, 7-14 and 14-21 days postpartum were similar (P>0.05) but numerically lower for 20 and 24% CP flushed does. Total kit mortality rale (0-21 days postpurtum) was significantly (P<0.05) higher for does flushed with 16 and 18% CP diets. It is concluded from this study, that flushing multiparous does with 20 and 24% CP diets gave better reproductive performance than with 16 and 18% CP diets. Feeding 16% CP diel to does during pregnancy does not appear to meet their protein requirement for gestation 

The Effect of Feed Intake on the Reproductive Performance of First Parity Sows

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 131-131
Author(s):  
C.M. Carrolli ◽  
P.B. Lynch ◽  
M.P. Boland ◽  
F.H. Austin ◽  
J.F. Roche
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Reproductive Failure ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Body Reserves ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Behavioural Factors

Thirty to forty per cent of sows in Irish herds are culled annually, one third of which are for reproductive problems such as anoestrus, anovulation and small litter size. Causes of reproductive failure include genetic, nutritional, environmental and behavioural factors. Failure to meet the nutritional requirements of sows during lactation and after weaning results in losses of liveweight and body fat (due to mobilization of body reserves) which can subsequently compromise reproductive performance. Although sows normally exhibit oestrus within one week of weaning, Sterning et al. (1990) observed that a large proportion of first parity sows showed a delayed return to oestrus. This results in a longer farrowing interval, fewer litters per sow per year and a reduction in herd output. The effects of malnutrition on reproduction are more severe in first parity than in multiparous sows (Kirkwood and Aherne, 1985). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low feed intake during lactation and postweaning on the subsequent reproductive performance of first parity sows.

The effect of dietary Intake and litter size on the productivity of first-litter sows

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 ◽  
pp. 94-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.P. Mullan ◽  
W.H. Close
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Present Experiment ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Nutrient Metabolism ◽  
Large White ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Body Reserves

The partition of nutrients during lactation, In particular the extent to which body reserves are utilised to support milk production, is important in determining the reproductive performance of sows. For example, if the mobilisation of body reserves by young sows during lactation is excessive then the Interval between weaning and re-mating may be extended. The aim of this present experiment was to manipulate the use of body reserves by sows during their first lactation by altering both feed Intake and suckling intensity (litter size) in an attempt to investigate how the dynamics of nutrient metabolism during lactation may influence reproductive function.In a 2 X 2 factorial experiment, 28 Landrace x Large White gilts were fed a diet containing 12.5 MJ DE and 156 g CP per kg either to appetite (H) or 3.0 kg/day (L) with litter size adjusted to either 6 (6) or 12 (12) piglets at each feeding level for a 21-day lactation..

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