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Abstract This study was carried out at private farm in Giza and the chemical analysis for blood in private laboratory for clinical pathology, feed in fac. Of agric. Laboratory in ain shams univ., and milk replacer were carried out in animal production research institute. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of milk replacer suckling for kits raised from eighteen days to twenty eight days of age (weaning age). Two experiments were carried, the first one was in winter season and the other was in summer season. First experiment (winter season). The experiment was set up using 179 kits aged 18 days from birth, taken from 30 dams of New Zealand breed white (NZW) (Oryctolagus cuniculus) which were at the second litters, weighted about 2.500 - 2.750 kg. The weight of kits was ranged from 200 - 240 grams as an average of 220 grams. The kits were divided into three groups, the first group was the control group (62 kits) nursed from their mothers from 18 to 28 days of their age, the second group (55 kits) was nursed on milk replacer as 10% from their body weight twice daily in rate of 5% of their body weight every 12 hours along the day from 18 to 28 days of age. The third group (62 kits) was nursed at the same milk replacer as 15% of their body weight at rate of 5% every 8 hours along the day from 18 to 28 days of age. The experiment after then extended after weaning up to the marketing weight and in this stage the growing rabbits were fed pelleted feed only. The consumption of mother milk and milk replacer and pelleted feed for kits and growing rabbits were recorded The second experiment (summer season). The experiment was set up using 63 kits aged 18 days of birth day, taken from 9 dams of New Zealand White breed which were at the second litters ,weighted 2.500 - 2.750 kg, the weight of kits averaged 200 grams. Kits were divided into three groups. The first group was the control (21 kits) which were nursing from their dams (from 18 to 28 days of age), The second group (21kits) were nursed on milk replacer as 10% their body weight at twice daily as a 5% from their weight every 12 hours (from 18 to 28 days of age), The third group (21 kits) were nursed at the same milk replacer, but as 15% of their weight, this amount were divided into three portions at the rate of 5% of their body weight every 8 hours (from 18 to 28 days of age). The experiment extended after weaning up to the marketing weight and in this stage the growing rabbits were fed pelleted feed only. The consumption of milk replacer and pelleted feed for kits and growing rabbits were recorded. Composition of milk replacer: The experimental milk replacer was formulated from cow hole milk, skim milk, soya bean meal, corn starch, palm oil, minerals, vitamins, emulsifier and antibiotics. Chemical composition in dry matter basis was 27.24% fat, 26.32% protein and 35% total solids. Measured parameters. 1-Average daily weight gain (ADWG): weight gain of kits per day was recorded from day 18 to day 28 of age and then from weaning to marketing weight. 2-Mortality rate (%): The mortality rate for kits was determined in the two experiments (pre and post weaning). 3-Morbidity rate (%): Tympani and diarrhea disease were measured. 4-Conception rate (%): At 21 days from birth the dams were taken to be mated and the conception rate was calculated. 5-Morbidity rate for mastitis (%): In the stage which extended from 18 day from birth to 28 day of age mastitis morbidity was recorded for dams. 6-Biochemical constituents of blood: Total protein (g/dl). Albumin (g/dl). Globulin (g/dl). Albumin/ Globulin ratio. Glucose (mg/dl). Aspartate amino transaminase (AST) or (GOT) (U/ml). Alanine amino transaminase (ALT) or (GPT) (U/ml). Creatinine (mg/dl). 7- Milk intake (gm). 8- Feed intake (gm). 9- Feed conversion (gm feed/ gm gain). The main obtained results can be summarized as follows: 1- There was no any significant difference in ADWG for kits in the first experiment, while, in the second experiment a significant higher ADWG for control group than the other treatments was detected, but in post weaning stage no significant difference in ADWG was detected. 2- Mortality rate was increased in the third group and vice verses in control group. 3- Morbidity rate by tympanic and diarrhea disease was higher in third group and lower in control group. 4- Conception rate was higher in the second and third groups compared with control group (zero %). 5- Morbidity rate by mastitis was higher in the second and third groups in comparing with control. 6- No significant difference in blood serum total protein, albumin, globulin, ALT, AST and glucose were detected. 7- Feed intake in the first and second experiment were low in the third group (pre weaning period), while no significant differences in feed intake in post weaning period were detected. 8- Feed conversion was better in control compared with other groups T2 in pre weaning period, while in post weaning period feed conversion was better in T2 compared with control group in winter and summer season, respectively. Conclusion: from the results of this study it can be concluded that young rabbits was performed well with suckled milk replacer by consuming amount of 10% of their body weight divided in two equal portion daily, while increasing the amount to 15% of their body weight increased healthy problems for kits even if divided into three equal portions daily. |