Effect of parity order and litter weaning age on the performance and body energy balance of rabbit does

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of doe parity order and litter weaning age on reproductive performance and lactation and body energy balance of rabbit does from one kindling to the following. To this aim, 138 lactating does of three parity orders (first, second and third kindling: K1, K2 and K3) were remated 11 days after kindling. Their litters were weaned at 21, 26 and 32 days of age in a 33 factorial arrangement (three parity orders by three weaning ages). Thirty does at initial kindling and 69 pregnant does at final kindling were slaughtered to determine body tissue and energy balance. When increasing parity order, milk production, feed and digestible energy intake during lactation increased linearly while body energy deficit decreased (from -20.5% of the initial content in K1 does to -9.2% in K3 does). When weaning age was decreased from 32 to 21 days, body energy deficit decreased (-19.4% to -8.0%). Significant interactions between parity order and weaning age were recorded in energy balance and reproductive performance. According to these results, multiparous does showed a lower but still relevant energy deficit than primiparous does. Early weaning permitted us to reduce body energy deficit, especially at lower parity orders.