Effect of Stocking Density on Performance of Growing Rabbits in Semi-Humid Tropics
Titel:
Effect of Stocking Density on Performance of Growing Rabbits in Semi-Humid Tropics
Auteur:
Iyeghe-Erakpotobor Grace, T. Olorunju, SAS.
Verschenen in:
Tropicultura
Paginering:
Jaargang 23 (2005) nr. 1 pagina's 19-23
Jaar:
2005
Inhoud:
In order to evaluate the adoption possibility of Maize- Mucuna-Fertiliser (mineral) System (MMFS), for soil fertilisation in the southern part of Togo, 52 farms from three representative villages of the region were analysed and classified into three types according to their adoption potential for the innovation: type A characterised by heads of farm being in majority land owners; type B whose head of farm are young, literate and in majority land tenants; and type C whose heads are old mainly land tenants. Participatory surveys, based on contingent ranking of the constraints, conducted with homogenous groups of farmers chosen according to three types of farm, helped to sort out the major constraints to the adoption of MMFS. These constraints, having a high degree of severity (≥ 45%), were in order of importance: the lack of money/loan, the land problem (lack of arable lands and insecurity on rented ones), the suppression of mixed cropping by the MMFS and the non availability of mucuna seed. For the farmers of type A, the non availability of mucuna seed and the lack of money/loan presented a degree of severity of 100% each. For those of type B and C, the land problem was the most important: it presented a degree of severity of 100% for the farmers of type B and 80% for those of type C. Sixty growing rabbits were housed at densities of 6.7, 10, 13.3, 16.7 and 20 rabbits/m2 in wood and poultry wire mesh cages for six weeks and fed a common diet of 22.6% CP and 2600 kcal/kg ME. Parameters measured were feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, body condition, fur condition and body bites. Stocking density significantly (P< 0.05) affected feed intake and weight gain but not feed conversion ratio of rabbits. Rabbits stocked at densities of 6.7, 10 and 13.3 rabbits/m2 had higher average daily gain than those stocked at higher densities. Feed intake was higher at higher densities. The trend shows a significant decrease in feed intake by individual rabbits as stocking density increases in week 1-2 and 3-4. Feed conversion ratio was poorer at higher densities (16.7, 20 rabbits/m2) than at lower densities (6.7, 10, 13.3 rabbits/m2). There was no definite relationship between stocking density and mortality rate of rabbits. Rabbits stocked at 6.7 to 13.3 rabbits/m2 had significantly higher body condition score and fur condition compared with those stocked at 16.7 and 20 rabbits/m2. There were no differences in fighty bites for all the stocking densities. It is concluded from this study that the optimum stocking density for rabbits in the semi-humid tropics is 13.3 rabbits/m2.
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