Enquête sur les élevages de lapins en Vénétie: Résultats de gestion technique et estimation des rejets azotés

A survey on rabbit farms in Veneto Region: technical data and nitrogen excretion estimate. A survey was performed on 48 rabbitries (breeding and fattening) located in Veneto Region to collect technical information and calculate nitrogen balance. Farms show great variability in dimensions (1 216±885 reproducing does and 7 495±5 852 fattening rabbits), management and productivity. Fertility (76.8%) and other data of reproductive efficiency are significantly correlated with the number of rabbits sold/doe/year, while independent from the number of reproducing does in the farm. The number of rabbits sold/doe/year is 42.8 on average (from 28.9 to 60.9). The N excreted by the doe and its offspring is on average 7.40±1.48 kg/year and significantly influenced by slaughter weight (P=0.05) and number of rabbits sold/doe/year (P<0.001). The total nitrogen output of the whole rabbit production process corresponds to 65±5 g of N per kg of rabbit produced alive.