AZ ANYANYULAK TERMELÉSE AZ ELLETŐLÁDÁBAN LEVŐ FÉSZEKANYAGOKTÓL FÜGGŐEN

Effect of different nest materials on reproduction performance of rabbit does The experiment was conducted at the Kaposvár University. Pannon Ka and Pannon White (multiparous) rabbit does (n=200) were randomly divided into four groups according to the nest materials used for bedding the nest tray: hay (n=50), straw (n=50), wood shavings (n=50), wooden thin long fibre material (Lignocel® J.Retttenmaier&Söhne GmbH) (n=50). The experiment started the 27th day of pregnancy. Photos were taken about the nests 4-5 days after parturition which were assessed by experienced evaluators on scales 1-5 of the nest quality. According to the results of evaluations, the quality of the four nest materials was significantly different. The hay nest had the best quality scores which was followed by straw and Lignocel®. The nests made of wood shavings were judged to be the worst quality. The nest material did not influence the litter size, the litter weight and the individual weight at day 21. Significant difference was not found in suckling mortality between 0-21 d. The kit’s mortality was the lowest in nests bedded with wood shavings (12.4%) or straw (12.9%), and the highest in nests bedded with hay (17.2%), the Lignocel® nests showed intermediate mortality (15.1%)