Otchoumou et al., 2021 Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences (J.Anim.Plant Sci.

ISSN 2071-7024)
Vol.47 (2): 8426-8432 https://doi.org/10.35759/JAnmPlSci.v47-2.1

Effect of dietary restriction on the growth and

survival of young rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
⃰Athanase Kraidy Otchoumou, Franck Konan Yao, Marie Flavienne Raîssa légbé Wognin,
Sebastien Niamké
Biotechnology Laboratory, Biosciences Faculty, Felix Houphouët Boigny University, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22
⃰Corresponding author: Dr. Otchoumou Kraidy Athanase, Biotechnology Laboratory, Biosciences Faculty, Felix
Houphouët Boigny University, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Email: tchoumou2@yahoo.fr, Phone: +225 07 79 72 06
Keywords: Feed restriction, survival, growth, rabbit, feed cost

Publication date 28/02/2021, http://m.elewa.org/Journals/about-japs/

1 ABSTRACT
The feed restriction study involved two groups of rabbits; the first was subjected to two-week
restriction and the second group to four-week restriction. Feed restriction consisted of
reducing the daily feed by 10, 20, 30 and 40% over different periods. The results showed that a
10% restriction of daily feed allows a growth (group 1: 2370.63 ± 100.41 g; group 2: 2175.11 ±
51.78 g) similar to that of the control (2465.54 ± 127.57 g) which received a complete daily
feed. It also improves their survival (100%). This study also revealed that feed rationing in
rabbits induces growth, which is a function of the duration of the restriction. The feed costs
evaluated (D 10: group 1: 7476.92 FCFA and group 2: 7030.40 FCFA against 7598.48 FCFA for
the control batch) showed that this 10% reduction of daily feed constitutes a gain for any
breeder wishing to do an intensive activity.

2 INTRODUCTION
Rabbit farming is classified among non- rabbits, but also in-depth studies in the field of
conventional breeding in Côte d'Ivoire (FAO, nutrition which is often the basis of the
2009). This breeding is not commonly practiced morbidity and mortality observed in rabbits.
although it is very significant potential in terms post-weaning young rabbit whose control could
of productivity and nutritional value of the contribute to the food security of populations by
rabbit. One of the reasons for this state of affairs the availability of rabbit meat (Akoutey and
is in its high production cost linked largely to the Kpodekon, 2009). However, food accounts for
high price of industrial feed for rabbits made 70% of total production costs. Therefore,
from cereals and soybean meal. In order to cope reducing food costs becomes a major concern
with this observed brake, several research works for small herders in hot countries (Dahouda et
on the distribution of different fodder plants al., 2013). In addition, post-weaning mortality
have been carried out in several African and morbidity constitute a major problem that
countries such as Nigeria (Adeyemo et al., 2014), undermines this promising sector of activity,
Benin (Koutinhouin et al., 2014), in the which must be tackled in Côte d'Ivoire.
Democratic Republic of Congo (Katunga et al., Therefore, several solutions are recommended
2012) and in Côte d'Ivoire (Kimsé et al., 2013; including feed restriction. Regarding feed
Kouakou et al., 2016). As this sector of activity is restriction, it has long been considered a
also very recent, its development requires not technique for controlling the health (morbidity)
only an adequate selection and crossing of of fattening rabbits (Gidenne et al., 2012). In

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Vol.47 (2): 8426-8432 https://doi.org/10.35759/JAnmPlSci.v47-2.1

addition, limiting feed ingestion in rabbits rabbits after weaning. Thus, in order to control
reduces their growth rate and can degrade their post-weaning feeding, this study was conducted
slaughter yield (Gidenne et al., 2009b; Travel et to assess the influence of feed restriction on the
al., 2011). In Côte d'Ivoire, very little growth, the health of the young rabbits and on
information exists on feed restriction in young the cost of feeding.

3 MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted in a rabbit farm in the 3.1 Growth performance and health
district of Abidjan. Forty-Five (45) California status: In both trials, 45 rabbits were used to
Breed rabbits (684 g and 6 weeks old) were put determine growth performance. For this
under the trial. The rabbits are placed purpose, feed consumption and live weight were
individually in cages, equipped with feeder and individually recorded at 49, 77 and 105 days of
waterer, mounted in series. An acclimation the trial period. Thus, daily food consumption,
period to the experimental conditions of 7 days daily weight gain and feed conversion rate were
was observed. During this phase of acclimation, calculated for these different periods. In
the animals were daily fed ad libitum with the addition, all animals were monitored for
commercial feed « ivograin ». A common diet mortality and morbidity twice daily. The
(ivograin) meeting the basic nutrient morbidity rate was the percentage of live animals
requirements of fattening rabbits was used in with one of the following symptoms:
both trials. At the beginning of each test, the prostration, swollen belly, relatively low body
rabbits were divided into 2 homogeneous weight, diarrhoea or mucus under the cage. The
groups. Thus, the first group rabbits were presence of a morbid animal was counted only
subjected to a restriction of two weeks and the once, although signs of morbidity appeared
second group to four weeks of restriction. The several times on the same animal.
dietary restriction applied in this study consisted 3.2 Statistical analysis: All the data taken
of a ration reduction of 10, 20, 30 and 40% over from this study were subjected to the analysis of
different periods (two and four weeks) (D10, variance (ANOVA) using SPSS 17 software. The
D20, D30, D40). After the different periods of variations in means were separated using the
restriction, the rabbits were fed to satiety. Water Duncan Multiple Range Test (Duncan, 1955)
was always available ad libitum throughout the
trials. This study lasted eight weeks.

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results showed when the reduction of the over the entire rearing period (Figure 1). As for
daily feed increases, the growth of the rabbits the 4-week restriction, the average daily weight
was slow as reflected by the average daily weight varies significantly from one batch to another (P
(Figure 1). Thus from 49th to the 77th day of ≤ 0.05) but, as previously, the average daily
breeding, for a restriction of 2 weeks, the average weight of the D10 lot does not differ from that
daily weight of rabbits fed with D 10 (33.50 ± of the 77th to 105th day control batch also over
1.24 g / d) and D 15 (33.69 ± 1.10 g/d) are the entire rearing period (Figure 5). This is
similar (P ≥ 0.05) and the same trend is true for explained by the fact that the 10% daily ration is
the rabbits fed with D 20 (30.82 ± 0.90 g/d) and close to that of the control and higher than that
D 25 (31.25 ± 1.85 g/d) rations. For the period of the other lots also subject to the restriction.
from 77th to 105th day and from 49th to 105th This result confirms that of Gidenne et al., (2009)
day of rearing this parameter differs between who according to them a feed restriction beyond
batches of rabbits (P≤0.05). However, the 10% decreases the growth rate of rabbits. The
average daily weight of the rabbit fed with D10 comparative evolution of the average daily
does not differ from that of the control batch weight obtained during the two tests is such that
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Otchoumou et al., 2021 Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences (J.Anim.Plant Sci. ISSN 2071-7024)
Vol.47 (2): 8426-8432 https://doi.org/10.35759/JAnmPlSci.v47-2.1

between the period of the 49th to 77th day of be verified through the results of the work
rearing, the average daily weight of the rabbit fed carried out by Romero et al. (2010) that the
D 15, D 20 and D 25 for each test, are reduction in fattening mortality in restricted
significantly different (P≤ 0.05), but from 77th rabbits is due to the decreased flow of nutrients
to 105th day, the average daily weight values for reaching the cecum. In addition, Gidenne and
these two tests drop while keeping the same Feugier (2009) found that a food restriction of
direction of evolution as before. This could be 20% increased the cecal concentration of volatile
explained by the fact that among young rabbits, fatty acids (from 65.9 to 84.8 mmol / l when the
there is a period during which whatever the feed restriction varied from 0 to 40%). The
mode of feeding, the rabbits grow quickly and acidified cecal content (5.64 - 5.99) while
beyond this period, the growth is slow (Matics et increasing the bacterial fibrolytic activity (5.0 vs
al. 2008). The intake of granulated feed in a 10.6 µmol reducing sugar / g DM per hour). This
restricted way to the rabbit had an impact on the acidification could help reduce the caecal
consumption indices of the latter. The average number of potential harmful bacteria, as some of
values of the consumption indices recorded in them, such as Clostridium perfringens, are sensitive
the period from the 49th to the 77th day ranged to acidic pH (EFSA, 2005). The feed costs or
between 3.30 ± 0.69 and 3.80 ± 0.81 and those feed charges (CFA francs) of the rabbits subject
from the 77th to 105th ranged between 5.49 ± to various restrictions as well as that of the
0.95 and 7.55 ± 0.89 (Figure 3). The first low control were determined for each test at the end
3.30 compared to the last 7.55 could be of the experiments in order to assess its
explained by the fact that the animals use the economic impact over the entire period of the
feed that contributes strongly to their growth experiment (Table 3). These charges varied
while the higher values implied certainly depending on the restriction rate. They are lower
important ingestion but a slow growth during (6264.40-7030.40 F CFA) than the load recorded
the period of 77th - 105th day. However, the by the Control batch (7598.48 F CFA). This is
consumption indices obtained in the period because during the entire experiment the batch
from 49th to 77th day compared to the interval received the full amount of feed required. From
of consumption indices (3.9-4) defined by this observation, we can effectively conclude
Lounaouci – Oyed (2001) could be qualified as that food restriction in breeding, in the case of
better. The consumption indices in North Africa rabbits regardless of its duration, reduces the
are generally above 4.5 (Rossilet, 2001). Then, financial charges injected into the feed of the
the consumption indices obtained in the present animals concerned. This result is confirmed by
study between 77th and 105th day of breeding, Yakubu et al. (2007) who consider feed
are acceptable. At the end of this study, the batch restriction as a means to reduce production
of the D 10 diet just like the control batch does costs. Likewise, Gidenne et al. (2009 b) conclude
not record any mortality (Table 2). The causes from their work that restricting the ingestion of
of mortality and morbidity of the rabbits in the rabbits after weaning is a feeding strategy
first weeks of the experiments would not be due commonly practiced in France due to a
to coccidiosis because an anticoccidial treatment reduction in feed costs. To this end, feed
was given to all the subjects before the start of restriction is a gain for any breeder wishing to
the tests (Table 2). They would be caused by exercise intensive activity. Certainly, the
ingestion of excess feed (70-110g) either by the restriction has a beneficial effect on the growth
young rabbit, or by a very severe restriction (20 and health of rabbits. However, for better
and 40% death in batch D25 respectively for production of rabbit meat in Côte d'Ivoire,
groups 1 and 2). These cases of morbidity in the further studies on food restriction should be
present study, which are largely followed by the considered in order to precisely and rigorously
subject's recovery, could be due to the beneficial determine the time required as well as the period
effects of feed restriction. This hypothesis could of food restriction in rabbits.
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Vol.47 (2): 8426-8432 https://doi.org/10.35759/JAnmPlSci.v47-2.1

Table 1: Final body weight of rabbits after 56 days of breeding

Feed Diets
restriction
D 10 D 15 D 20 D 25 Control
duration
Initial
body 684.38 ±50.26 683.44±68.73 682.37±72.81 684.33±71.27 690±70.67
weight
Final 2 weeks 2405.11±85.29 2202.57±92.47 2101.56±62.05 1997.06±76.77 2465.54±144.28
body
weight 4 weeks 2370.65±100.41 1972.57±107.21 1861.56±107.24 1767.06±89.16 2465.54±144.28

4 weeks of feed restriction 2 weeks of feed restriction

Average daily weight gain (g/day)

40 a 45
Average daily weight gain (g/day)

35 b a 40
a
30 c 35
d bc 30
25 D 10 D 10
e a a 25
20 d D 15 D 15
b d 20
15 c D 20 D 20
15
10 D 25
10 D 25

5 Control 5 Control

0 0
49-77 77-105 49-105 49-77 77-105 49-105
Breeding period (day) Breeding period (Day)

Figure 1: Variation in weight of rabbits subjected to feed restriction during 8 weeks of rearing

160 4 weeks of feed restriction 2 weeks of feed restriction

Average daily feed intake (g/day)

140
140
Average daily feed intake (g/day)

120
D 10 120
D 10
100
D 15 100
D 15
80
D 20 80
D 20
60 D 25 60
D 25
40 Control 40
Control
20 20
0 0
49-77 77-105 49-105 49-77 77-105 49-105
Breeding period (Day) Breeding period (Day)

Figure 2: Variation in feed intake of rabbits subjected to feed restriction during 8 weeks of rearing

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Vol.47 (2): 8426-8432 https://doi.org/10.35759/JAnmPlSci.v47-2.1

4 weeks of feed restriction 2 weeks of feed restriction

12 9
Feed conversion ratio

Feed conversion ratio

8
10
7 D 10
D 10
8 6 D 15
D 15
5
6 D 20
D 20 4
4 3 D 25
D 25
2 Control
2 Control
1
0 0
49-77 77-105 49-105 49-77 77-105 49-105
Breeding period (Days) Breeding period (Day)

Figure 3: Variation in feed conversion ratio of rabbits subjected to feed restriction during 8 weeks
of rearing

Table 2: Summary of health monitoring of rabbits subjected to feed restriction during 8 weeks of
breeding.
Diets
D 10 D 15 D 20 D 25 Control
Breeding period 2 weeks of feed restriction
49th-77th day 0 0 0 20 40
Morbidity 77th-105th day 40 20 20 20 20
(%)
49th-105th day 40 20 20 40 60
49th-77th day 100 100 100 100 100
Survival (%) 77th-105th day 100 80 80 80 100
49th-105th day 100 80 80 80 100
4 weeks of feed restriction
49th-77th day 0 0 20 20 40
Morbidity
77th-105th day 0 20 0 20 20
(%)
49th-105th day 0 20 20 40 60
49th-77th day 100 100 80 100 100
Survival (%) 77th-105th day 100 80 80 80 100
49th-105th day 100 80 80 60 100

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Table 3: Average feed intake costs of rabbits subjected to feed restriction during 8 weeks of rearing
Cost of feed intake (F CFA)
Breeding period
D 10 D 15 D 20 D 25 Control
2 weeks of feed restriction
49th-77th day 3457.02 d 3264.72c 3157.54b 3002.52a 3566.48e
77th-105th day 4019.90 a 4015.95a 3997.72a 3977.98a 4032a
49th-105th day 7476.92d 7280.67c 7155.26b 6980.5a 7598.48e
4 weeks of feed restriction
49th-77th day 3043.24d 2946.19c 2676.24b 2459.96a 3566.48e
th th
77 -105 day 3987.16b 3930.44a 3905.86b 3804.44a 4032a
49th-105th day 7030.40d 6876.63c 6582.10b 6264.40a 7598.48e
Values are means ± SD (n = 3). Means in the same row having different superscripts are significantly different (P < 0.05)
and values in the same row with same superscript are not significantly different (P > 0.05). The values in parentheses
represent the standard deviation.

5 CONCLUSION
A 10% restriction of 120g of granulated feed ration also improves the health of the young
allows for similar (acceptable) growth of a young rabbits and has made it possible to reduce the
rabbit to that of the Control who received all cost of production.
120g of feed. This restriction of 10% of the daily

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