Preliminary study of the feeding management of early rabbits at weaning, on productive parameters and quality of the carcass

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to compare the feeding management of weaned rabbits at 21 d against the traditional feeding management of weaned rabbits at 35 d of age and to evaluate productive parameters and quality of the carcass. Four rabbits of the California race of 21 d of age were used, they were divided into 2 groups, group 1 was given solid food using Tenebrio molitor as an additive and a liquid formula elaborated with ginger, coconut water, Tenebrio molitor and honey bee; Group 2 was left with the mother. After 14 d of treatment the rabbits consumed fattening feed for 28 d and they were slaughtered. The results obtained showed that a weaning at 21 d of age and the adequate conditions of lodging, liquid formula and solid food with Tenebrio molitor as an additive do not affect the mortality and the productive parameters, however, the carcass decreases. The results suggest that the feeding management in rabbits weaned at 21 d, could be an alternative when it is necessary to separate the rabbit from the mother in advance.