Effect of postweaning feeding on the performance and energy balance of female rabbits at different physiological states

The feeding of a high-fiber and low-energy diet to young rabbit does fi om weaning to the first kindling was used to modify their body reserves, stimu late their energy intake, and reduce the energy deficit during the first la ctation. Rabbits (53 per group) were given ad libitum access to either a co ntrol or high-fiber diet (CP, 17.6 vs 15.8% of DM; crude fiber, 15.5 vs 19. 9% of DM; digestible energy, 2,565 vs 2,261 kcal/kg of DM, respectively) fr om weaning to their first kindling. During lactation, both groups received the same diet, which contained 19.3% CP, 16.5% crude fiber, and 2,634 kcal/ kg digestible energy (dry matter basis). Four comparative slaughters were p erformed to estimate the chemical and energy balance of rabbit does at diff erent physiological states: at the beginning of the trial (12 rabbits, 45 d of age), at mating (10 rabbits per group, 167 d), at kindling (10 rabbits per group, 167 d), and at the end of lactation (12 and 11 rabbits for the c ontrol and the high-fiber group, 197 d). Large changes in body weight and c omposition were observed between slaughters. From 45 d to mating, doe body fat and energy increased 7.93 and 4.64 times the initial content, respectiv ely. During pregnancy, body protein concentration decreased from 203 to 186 g/kg. At the end of lactation, body fat and energy concentration were rela ted to values close to those measured at 45 d of age. Dietary treatment aff ected body chemical and energy balance during pregnancy and lactation but n ot reproductive and lactational performanace. The high-fiber diet stimulate d feed intake from weaning to the first kindling but not dietary energy int ake. During lactation, the rabbits fed the high-fiber diet ate 10 kcal.d(-1 ).kg live weight(-.75) more and lost less body fat (-405 vs -504 g) and bod y energy (-3,628 vs -4,294 kcal) than the does fed the control diet (P < .0 01). In the same period, all does showed water and protein retention (185 a nd 45 g, on average) regardless of dietary treatment. In conclusion, feedin g young does a high-fiber diet until their first kindling reduced the chemi cal and energy body deficit at the end of the first lactation.