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Characteristics of milk production in the cameroonian local rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

The milk production was studied in Cameroonian local rabbit. Sixteen adult does (10 multiparous and 6 primiparous) weighing 3438 ± 518g were used. All the females fed with same diet (2300kcal/kg.DM of metabolizable energy, 17.1; 12.2; 1.20 and 0.70%/kg.DM of proteins, crude fiber, calcium and phosphorus respectively) throughout the experiment. The estimation of the milk production was done by weighing the does before and after suckling, three times a day (04 a.m, 12 a.m and 08 p.m), from the 1stto the 30th day after parturition. The frequency of suckling was 1.69 ± 0.44/day and each suckling last 3minutes and 15 seconds. The average quantity of milk yielded was 81.8 ± 25.4g/suckling and 138 ± 22.8g/day. Fifty percent of suckling swere recorded at 04 a.m, 24% at 12a.m and 26% at 08 p.m. The suckling duration decreased regularly as lactation progressed. The peak of production was 167g/day and was reached at the 21st day post-partum. The quantities of milk yielded per day in multiparous does were greater (p˂0.05) than those of primiparous females. The milk production was greater (p˂0.05) at 04 a.m (91.7 ± 32.1g) than at 12 a.m (23.7 ± 14.9 g) and 20 p.m (33.3 ± 19.2). The regression(y=2.19x – 840) (from day 1 to day 21) between the milk yield and the litter weight was established. In addition, a positive and very high correlation (R2=0.99 and r = 0.99) existed between both parameters. The correlation between the milk yield and the duration of suckling was negative (r = -0.80).