14.

1 Introduction the production costs for meat rabbits are

twice as high as those for broilers and 25–
Rabbits are primarily raised as meat 35% higher than for pigs. In view of being
produc- ers and secondarily as wool or fur competitive with these animal
produc- ers. They are also an important productions, a reduction in feeding costs
pet and exhibition animal in many is of primary importance. For this reason,
countries and widely used in biomedical this chapter considers in detail different
research. In recent years, interest has possibilities for optimizing the feed
been increasing in biotechnology to conversion ratio (FCR) in rabbit
produce protein-linked substances with production.
transgenic rabbits. The high daily output
(50 g kg−1 live weight day−1) of protein-rich
milk (120 g kg−1) makes female rabbits 14.2 Diet Presentation
suitable for the production of human
drugs (Maertens et al., 2006).
In intensive rabbit production, dried and
In intensive production systems, rab-
ground raw materials are used to prepare
bits are almost exclusively fed with a bal-
balanced compound diets. These concen-
anced compound diet in order to fulfil their
trated diets are generally pelleted
dietary requirements, with a view to opti-
because rabbits show a strong preference
mizing their production records and feed-
for pellets over the same diet in meal or
ing management. The size of commercial
mash form. The processing costs for
farms has been dramatically increased due
pelleting rabbit diets are more than
to the introduction of artificial insemina-
compensated for by a number of benefits.
tion and the batch management system. As
Significantly lower amounts of feed are
an example of intensive rabbit production,
consumed on meal diets, resulting in
the average production records obtained
lower daily weight gain, inferior FCR and
from commercial farms in France are pre-
lower slaughter yield (Table 14.2). When
sented in Table 14.1.
offered a choice between meal and pellet
In rabbit meat production, as with form, 0.97 of the total feed intake is of
other animal species, feeding costs the pelleted diet (Harris et al., 1983).
represent the largest part of the
Other benefits of pelleting are compa-
production costs. Depending mainly on
rable to those for other animals:
investment costs, they amount to 0.60–
segregation or selection between the
0.70 of the total costs. In fact,
different raw materials is impossible,
higher amounts of

©CAB International 2010. Nutrition of the Rabbit, 2nd Edition

(eds C. de Blas and J. Wiseman) 253

Table 14.1. Average production records With low cereal prices, efforts have
in 2006 from commercial rabbit farms in France been made to feed high amounts of whole
(Lebas, 2007). grains together with a concentrated pellet.
Criteria 2006 Rommers et al. (1996) compared pellets
with a mixture of 0.85 pellets and 0.15
Number of farms considered 1089 whole wheat or barley for fatteners. The
Does per farm 495 biological performance was not significantly
Replacement rate (%) 113 different. However, the cereals
Kindling per artificial insemination (%) 79.4
accumulated in the feeders because the
Number of parities per female year−1 6.85
rabbits showed preference for the pellets.
Litter size at birth (alive) 9.5
Litter size at weaning 8.1 Because feed wastage was not observed,
mainly due to
Mortality (plus eliminated) before 15.8 the construction of the feeders, it was con-
weaning (%) cluded that a mixture of pellets and whole
Mortality after weaning (%) 8.5 a
Total feed consumption including young parent stock, does
Fatteners produced per doe year−1 50.7 and fatteners.
Market weight of growers (kg) 2.45
Feed per rabbits produced (kg)a 3.58 co-products can be fed and feed wastage is
minimal. Pellets further reduce dust
prob- lems in houses and automatic or
semi-auto- matic rabbit feeders work
much more easily with pellets than with
meal or mash.
Several efforts have been undertaken
with other presentation forms. When a lim-
ited number of raw materials are mixed and
supplied, rabbits select those raw materials
according to their palatability. As a result of
this unbalanced intake, performances dete-
riorate (Schlolaut, 1995). When cereals and
protein sources are covered with molasses,
however, rabbits are less able to distinguish
between the different dietary components.
grains could reduce feeding costs. However,
attention must be drawn to the need to
avoid feed wastage and to feed a
homogenous mixture.
Instead of pelleting, rabbit diets can be
extruded. Rabbits accept such a
presentation if the durability and hardness
are accepta- ble, but performances tended
to decrease, especially in young rabbits
(Maertens and Luzi, 1995). The decreased
daily weight gain could be related to
degradations in protein quality due to the
high temperature during the extrusion.
Moreover, the intended higher starch
digestibility was not obtained and
consequently extrusion failed to reduce the
mortality rate of high-starch diets (Maertens
and Luzi, 1995). Similarly, Fernández-
Carmona et al. (1983) obtained a lower
intake and growth rate and considerable
variability in FCR when rabbits from 18 to
42 days of age were fed an extruded diet as
opposed to the pelleted diet. The authors

Table 14.2. Effect of diet presentation on the performances of growing rabbits (as a proportion of pellet).
Reference Presentation form DWG DF FCRa
I
Lebas (1973) Pellet =1.00 =1. =1.00
00
Meal 0.87 0.83 1.06
King (1974) Pellet =1.00 =1. =1.00
00
Meal 0.93 0.90 1.03
Machin et al. (1980) Pellet =1.00 =1. =1.00
00
Meal 0.98 0.80 1.23
Mash (0.40 water) 0.75 0.84 0.89
Candau et al. (1986) Pellet =1.00 =1. =1.00
00
Meal 0.60 0.75 1.23
Sánchez et al. (1984) Pellet =1.00 =1. =1.00
00
Meal 0.64 0.52 2.79
DWG, daily weight gain; DFI, daily feed intake; FCR, feed conversion ratio.
a
A higher figure indicates worse FCR.
explained these inferior results by the lower
quality of the pellets in the extruded diet
(lower durability and hardness).
In intensive rabbit meat production, a
pelleted balanced diet is the basis for
meet- ing nutrient and energy
requirements for maximizing biological
performance. All ‘alternative’ methods
(e.g. meal, mash, roughages, mixture of
raw materials) decrease the daily dry
matter intake. Most of these methods are
labour-intensive because they have to be
fed daily and are difficult to distribute
automatically; they are therefore not
suitable for large-scale production.
14.2.1 Pellet size and quality
The length of pellets is preferentially
between 0.8 and 1 cm. If longer, there is a
higher risk of breaking during handling.
Moreover, losses of single pellets or parts of
pellets by the rabbits are more frequent at
sizes >1 cm. The preferential pellet diame-
ter is in the range of 3–4 mm, which is also
suitable for use in rabbit feeders and mini-
mizes production costs. At diameters
>5 mm, the risk of pellet wastage increases
(Lebas, 1975a).
Small pellet size (diameter <2.5 mm)
tends to decrease feed intake, probably due
to the increased feeding time (Maertens,
1994). This effect was partly confirmed in
the choice feeding trial of Gidenne et al.
(2003a) with early-weaned rabbits. Between
18 and 31 days of age, rabbits consumed
40% fewer 2.5 mm pellets than control
pel- lets of 3.5 mm. However, the
hardness of the small pellets was 18%
higher and it is not clear if a small pellet
size or higher durabil- ity is responsible
for the decreased feed intake at a smaller
size.
Changing from a large pellet diameter
(4.8 mm) to a small diameter (2.5 mm) at
weaning leads to a 20% reduction in feed
intake and weight gain, while the opposite
change induces a 10% increase in feed
intake and weight gain shortly after wean-
ing (Maertens, 1994).
Pellet durability and hardness are the
major quality characteristics of rabbit
pellets
because rabbits do not eat the fines
between the pellets. Several types of
device for meas- uring pellet quality have
been used by the industry. Generally,
these devices can be classified into those
testing the resistance of pellets to
crushing (hardness) or those test- ing
fragmentation when rubbed or shaken
(durability). The pneumatic-powered
hard- ness testers determine the power
(in kg) for crushing pellets (Payne et al.,
1994). Although this method is quick,
sufficient pellets (>ten) have to be tested
in order to have good repeatability.
Equipment using a motor drive instead of
manual handling is preferable because it
excludes effects due to the operator. A
minimum hardness of 8 kg is necessary to
avoid excessive fines being pro- duced
during handling or transport, espe- cially
when using automatic feeders.
To test the durability of pellets, a
stand- ard method using a square tumbling
can has been developed (Phost, 1963). The
can is rotated at a speed of 50 rpm using a
perpen- dicular axis centred on both sides.
A quantity of 500 g of pellets, after sieving
out the fines, is used for the test. The
sample is placed in the tumbling can and
rotated for 10 min; after sieving again
(standard mesh size just smaller than the
nominal pellet diameter), the remain- ing
pellets are weighed and the pellet dura-
bility index (g pellets after/g pellets before
tumbling × 10) is obtained. Under correct
processing and handling conditions, <0.02
of ‘fines’ may be produced in quality
pellets during transport, in silos or bags
and in tubes and rabbit feeders.
When the resistance to crushing is
between 7 and 13 kg, the biological
perform- ance of rabbits is not influenced
by the hard- ness of the pellets (Morisse et
al., 1985).
14.3 Feed Storage
With the increasing size of rabbit breeding
units, feeds are mainly delivered in bulk.
Packaging in bags is still used for small
units or for special feeds (e.g. weaning
diets). Storage time should be limited to 3–4
weeks, employing outdoor silos. Due to
temperature variations, feed may sweat and
become mouldy. Taking into account the
between the different diets, the number of
fact that about 4 t feed week–1 is consumed
diets should be limited.
in a unit of 500 does and corresponding fat-
In practice, two or three silos (diets)
teners, a storage capacity of about 15 t is
are economically optimum for a middle-
necessary for bulk feed. When only two dif-
sized rabbitry, otherwise the quantities
ferent diets are supplied (for lactation and
involved are too small to operate with bulk
growth), the minimal silo sizes are 5 and
feed. Furthermore, automatic or semi-
10 t for does and fatteners, respectively.
automatic feeding systems are increasingly
If stored in a dry location, rabbit feed
being used in large units. These do not allow
with a dry matter content of at least 890 g
the distri- bution of a different diet to each
kg−1 can be stored for several months,
category. However, rabbit management is
which implies fewer diet changes for a
changed from individual handling to a batch
growing cycle. Cages equipped with man-
system. In this way, animals in the same
ual-filled feeders must contain at least the
reproduc- tive phase or of the same age are
quantity consumed daily. With automatic
grouped together in one building or battery.
feeding systems, tubes supplying a number
Such a management system allows the use
of cages (rather than individual feeders)
of phase feeding programmes. The same silo
are used. In such systems, feed is distrib-
is pro- gressively filled with an adapted diet
uted several times per day. Although it is
according to the age of the fatteners.
claimed that rabbits eat more when fresh
In a rabbitry, depending on the weaning
feed is served, no experiments have dem-
date and slaughter weight, about 0.5–0.6 of
onstrated this.
the feed is consumed in the fattening unit
and 0.4–0.5 in the reproduction unit (Fig.
14.1a). Young parent stock, males (if
14.4 Number of Diets present) and does in pre-gestation cages
have similar requirements. They can be fed
a fattening diet, sometimes on a restricted
With increasing knowledge of the specific basis.
requirements of the different categories of
After weaning, about 0.65 of the feed
rabbits, a series of diets can be proposed.
is consumed in the second half of the
However, based on practical considerations
fatten- ing period (Fig. 14.1b). A specific
and because of the relatively small differ-
finishing diet (high energy level, reduced
ences in nutrient and energy concentrations
protein content) favours feed efficiency
and reduces the nitrogen output to the
environment.

(a) (b)

Young and in pre-gestation

0.06
Pregnant
0.04 Week 4
0.21
Week 5
0.24
Week 2
in lactation 0.17
Fattening unit
0.32
0.58
Week 1 Week 6
0.12 0.26

Fig. 14.1. Distribution of the feed consumption in a rabbitry using a 42-day reproduction cycle,
weaning at 35 days and a production level of 50 fatteners per doe year−1. (a) Closed farm; (b) in the
fattening unit.
 14.5 Feed and Water Intake
The average feed intakes and feed
efficien- cies of weaned rabbits until
slaughter weight are given in Table 14.3.
Data reflect results obtained with a
quickly growing strain and weaning at 30
days. Growth, and consequently feed
intake curves, show an irregular
development during the fattening period;
therefore, the data presented in Table
14.3 are mean values of several batches
of hybrid rabbits. Feed intake increases
with age, but not when expressed as kg−1
live body weight. The highest feed intake
per unit of weight is reached before the
maximal growth rate occurs.
The feed intake of does varies consid-
erably during the reproductive cycle, from
150 to 450 g day −1. Feed intake patterns
during the lactation period correspond
largely to the milk yield of the doe and
consequently drop dramatically after
weaning.
Rabbits fed a pelleted diet have a
water requirement that exceeds the dry
matter intake. The ratio of feed to water
consump- tion increases during the
fattening period, from 1.55 to 1.65
(Laffolay, 1985). This ratio is about 1.9 for
non-lactating does or adults at
maintenance. Lactating does have a water
intake that is about twice the feed intake.
If water is not available, feed intake
drops quickly and will stop within 24 h.
Limited drinking water leads to reduced
feed intake and is sometimes used as an
indirect way of inducing restricted feeding
(Boisot
et al., 2004). However, this management
system cannot be defended from a welfare
viewpoint.
14.6 Practical Feeding of the
Different Categories of
Rabbits
In commercial rabbitries, as a rule, rabbits
are fed on an ad libitum basis (Table 14.4).
This is not only for practical considerations,
but also because of the rapid reproductive
rate and the adjustment of the voluntary
feed intake in response to changes in
dietary energy concentration. However,
some cate- gories of rabbits are fed on a
restricted basis to prevent excessive
fattening or overcome digestive
disturbances. In Table 14.4, a feed- ing
scheme for commercial rabbit meat pro-
duction is presented.
When restricted feeding is applied with
a pelleted diet, no advantage has been
found for feeding the total quantity once a
day instead of spreading it over two meals
(Tudela and Lebas, 2006). Moreover, in fat-
teners the number of feeding places does
not need to be increased when feed is
restricted (Tudela and Lebas, 2006).
14.6.1 Young parent stock
Feeding young parent stock properly is
very important because it affects the life-
time reproductive capacity of the animals.
The optimal feeding regime for young does

Table 14.3. Average values of weight gain, feed consumption and technical feed conversion ratio during
the fattening period.a
Feed intake Feed conversion ratio
Weight gain
Age (days) Weight (g g day −1
g kg −1
Week−1
(g) day−1) LW
Cumulative
21–30 400–740 38 35 + – – –
milk
30–37 740–1050 44 84 9 1.91
4
1.91
37–44 1050– 49 114 9 2.33
1395 3
2.13
44–51 1395– 51 136 8 2.67
1750 6
 2.32
51–58 1750– 48 148 7 3.08
2085 7
2.51
58–65 2085– 44 160 7 3.64
2395 1
2.72
65–72 2395– 41 171 6 4.17
2680 7
2.94
LW, live weight.
a
Diet: 10 MJ digestible energy kg−1. Moderate temperature conditions (15–23°C), no assumed mortality.
Table 14.4. Feeding scheme for commercial rabbit meat production.
Category Quantity Diet
Young does
Early mating (15–16 weeks) Ad libitum Fatteners
Late mating (17–20 weeks) Restricted (40 g kg−1 live weight, followed Fatteners or specific
by rearing diet
a 4-day flushing before insemination)
Does
Late gestation Ad libitum Lactation
Lactating Ad libitum:
Kits <3 weeks Lactation
Kits >3 weeks Weaning
In pre-gestation cages Restricted (40 g kg−1 live weight), Fatteners
but ad libitum 4 days prior to insemination
Males
Young (until 18 weeks) Ad libitum Fatteners
Adult Restricted (40 g kg−1 live weight) Fatteners
Weaned rabbits
4–6/7 weeks Restricted, 0.75 of ad libitum Fatteners
6/7–10/11 weeks Ad libitum Fatteners/finishing

depends to a large extent on the age of

period, but the intake capacity decreases
the first desired mating. Although
because of the development of fetuses in
evidence is found in the literature that
the abdomen. Subsequently, feed is
ad libitum feed- ing together with early
provided ad libitum.
mating (0.75–0.80 of the adult weight)
After weaning, non-pregnant does or
leads to favourable results in obtaining a
does in early pregnancy have to be
first litter, in practice it is recommended
restricted- fed to prevent excessive
to restrict feeding in young does and
fattening, which would lead to both high
postpone the first mating until the age of
perinatal mortality and suppression of
at least 17 weeks, with a target of 0.85–
voluntary feed intake in early lactation
0.90 of the adult weight (Rommers et al.,
(Partridge et al., 1986; Pascual et al., 2003).
2006). This improves litter size.
The same quantity as men- tioned for young
Restricted feeding during rearing also
does is recommended. In late gestation,
results in a higher milk yield and
feed restriction is no longer necessary.
increased weaning weight of the kits at
the end of the first lactation. Flushing 4–5
days prior to mating or insemination leads
to oestrous synchronization, high 14.6.2 Males
pregnancy rates and a greater number of
follicles (Rommers et al., 2006).
Males increase their voluntary feed intake
Another method to restrict feeding in
until the age of 5 months. Subsequently,
young parent stock is to use a low-energy,
feed intake drops by about 0.30 or a natural
high-fibre diet (<8 MJ digestible energy (DE)
feed restriction takes place. In comparison
kg−1). Such a diet, even fed ad libitum,
with restricted-fed littermates (0.75 of ad
induces growth retardation, but the rabbit
libitum), libido or semen characteristics are
develops a higher intake capacity in the
not negatively influenced by ad libitum
first lactation (Cervera et al., 2008).
feeding (Luzi et al., 1996). Excessive feed
When restricted-fed, a daily quantity of
restriction in males is therefore not recom-
40 g kg−1 live weight is sufficient to cover
mended. However, males from heavy lines
the nutrient and energy requirements when
frequently show sore hocks in wire mesh
a moderately concentrated diet (9.5 MJ DE
cages; feed restriction reduces their adult
kg−1) is fed. Requirements increase rapidly
weight by about 0.5 kg and consequently
during the second half of the gestation
favourable effects on longevity may be
their intestinal health (Xiccato et al., 2006;
expected.
Gidenne et al., 2007).

14.6.3 Lactating does and their young

14.6.4 Weaned young

Lactating females have a high nutrient

If a specific weaning diet is fed from the
and energy demand due to their
age of 3 weeks, this may be continued after
concentrated milk production (Maertens
weaning until the age of 7–8 weeks. Once
et al., 2006). A concentrated high-energy
the critical period is passed (7–8 weeks of
lactation diet stimulates daily nutrient
age), rabbits are fed a more concentrated
and energy intake, and reduces the
fat- tening diet. The increased energy
energy deficit at the end of the lactation
concen- tration favours the conversion
(see Chapter 6). Feed intake gradually
ratio.
increases as milk production increases
A phase-feeding programme during
(Fig. 14.2). Feeding the lactating doe ad
the fattening period is designed to reduce
libitum is a common habit to fulfil the
mor- tality, increase biological
high nutrient and energy demands.
performance and minimize mineral
Lactating does and their young eat out
excretion in order to pro- tect the
of the same feeder. Specific starter diets
environment. However, such a pro-
(creep feeding) as for piglets are not com-
gramme requires scheduled production in
monly used with rabbits. Although a system
large groups.
has been developed to feed the female and
Besides dietary qualitative aspects,
her litter separately (Fortun-Lamothe et al.,
quantitative aspects of feeding have
2000), it is not actually in use in practice.
proved to be helpful in overcoming losses
Before the age of 3 weeks, only small
due to diarrhoea (see Chapter 10). Based
amounts of feed are consumed by the
on stud- ies and success under practical
young. Therefore, a lactation diet adapted
conditions, many farms no longer feed
to the requirements of the doe is fed in
weanlings ad libitum. A reduction of feed
early lactation.
intake by at least 25% has proven to be
Once the young start to eat
very helpful in overcoming enteritis
significant amounts of solid feed, from
problems between the ages of 5 and 8
the age of 3 weeks, preference can be
weeks. Gidenne et al. (2003b) found the
given to the young. A diet more adapted
mortality rate to be halved in restricted-
to their require- ments has been shown to
fed rabbits compared to those fed ad
not only promote higher weaning
libitum. On intensive farms, increasing
weights, but also favour
use is therefore being made of automatic
feeding systems, which allow the
distribution of a restricted quantity of

500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34
Lactation day
Milk NP Milk P Feed intake NP Feed intake P

Fig. 14.2. Feed intake (g day–1)and milk yield (g day–1) of does if pregnant (P) or non-pregnant (NP) 11
days post-parturition (data from Maertens and De Groote, 1991; Maertens et al., 2006).
feed in relation to the age of the growing
rabbit.
An indirect method of restricting
feed intake is to restrict water intake.
Rabbits have a relatively small stomach,
which limits a high water and feed intake
during a short period of time. Therefore,
when the water distribution is limited to 2–
3 h (continuous) day–1, feed intake is only
0.70 of the ad libitum intake. Under such
conditions, both in experimental studies as
on commercial farms, positive results have
been obtained in reducing enteritis and
losses due to diarrhoea (Boisot et al., 2003,
2004). As already mentioned, however,
restricting water cannot be defended from
a welfare viewpoint and direct feed
restriction should be applied to prevent
enteritis in young rabbits (see also Chapter
11).
14.7 Feed Conversion Ratio
Numerous experimental FCR data are
available in fatteners, but only very few
data are available for the reproduction
unit. Nevertheless, to improve FCR, pos-
sibilities have to be considered for both
females and fatteners. The most important
factors are the use of efficient stock, the
quality of the feed, limitation of losses
(mortality) and farm management (e.g.
reproduction efficiency, slaughter age).
The impact of some of the factors of pri-
mary importance in reducing FCR will be
discussed.
14.7.1 Definition of
feed conversion
ratio
When speaking about FCR, in practice the
most extensively used parameter for
estima- timating feed efficiency in intensive
sys- tems is the overall global (farm) feed
conversion ratio. This global FCR is defined
for a closed unit (maternity and fattening)
as the ratio between the kg of feed
consumed (bought) per kg of rabbits
produced (sold). Consequently, it is very
valuable from a practical and economic
viewpoint.
Recent overviews of farm data have
shown average FCRs of 3.60, 3.82 and 3.63
in France, Italy and Spain, respectively
(Lebas, 2007; Rosell and González, 2007;
Xiccato et al., 2007). However, all of these
studies stressed the big differences between
farms (from <3.0 to >4.5) (Fig. 14.3). In
this index, reproduction efficiency and

0.30
France
0.25 Spain
Proportion of farms

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
<3.1 3.1–3.3 3.3–3.5 3.5–3.7 3.7–3.9 3.9–4.2 >4.2
Overall farm feed conversion ratio

Fig. 14.3. Variations in farm feed conversion ratios in France and Spain (Lebas, 2007; Rosell and
González, 2007).
slaughter weight are the main factors
14.7.2 Feed conversion
that influence the FCR. When the same
ratio as affected by
mortal- ity is considered (10% after
age
weaning), the cummulative effect of both
variables results in an increase from 3.07
to 4.03, or 31.3% (Table 14.5). Young and fast-growing animals have a far
When the FCR is calculated in fatten- more favourable FCR in the early fattening
ers then the FCR is defined as the ratio of stage than when near slaughter weight. The
kg of feed consumed per kg weight gain different content of tissue accretion (fat
of rabbits (finishing weight minus weaning ver- sus protein and water) and increased
weight). In this FCR, the feed main- tenance requirements are responsible
consumption of rabbits lost (mortality and for the very fast increase in FCR above a
removed) is included, while no weight weight of 2.0 kg (FCR >3.25). In Table 14.3,
gain for them is considered. This is recent data obtained at our experimental
correct from an eco- nomic viewpoint, unit are presented for the technical FCR
and is therefore defined as the economic with a fast-growing strain.
FCR. If we calculate this FCR in the
reproduction unit then the FCR is the 14.7.3 Diet concentration
ratio between kg of feed consumed and
kg of rabbits weaned plus sold old
Feed effciency is negatively correlated
females.
with dietary DE content, as was originally
However, if mortality is not one of the
shown
target variables in nutrition experiments,
30 years ago by Lebas (1975b) and con-
the effect of mortality is eliminated and
firmed in many later experiments. A
the result is the technical FCR. In this
rabbit regulates its feed intake according
method, only the feed consumed by rab-
to energy requirements, as for other
bits reaching the end of the experimental
mammals. In non- ruminants glycaemia
period is taken into account. As a conse-
plays a key role in food intake regulation,
quence, the technical FCR is lower than
while in ruminants the levels of plasma
the economic FCR. For this correction, it is
volatile fatty acids have a major role.
assumed that no feed was consumed dur-
Since rabbit is a non-ruminant herbivore,
ing the 2 days preceding death (Maertens
the main blood component regu- lating
et al., 2005b).
feed intake is unclear, but it is likely to
In addition to FCR, efficacy of the feed
be the blood glucose level (Gidenne and
utilization is sometimes presented as feed
Lebas, 2005). However, because of the
efficiency (de Blas et al., 1998). From a sci-
close relationship between dietary fibre
entific point of view this inverse ratio,
and DE content, daily feed intake (and by
namely kg of weight gain per kg feed con-
conse- quence FCR) is even more
sumed, shows a figure that better expresses
correlated with lower digestible fibre
the efficiency and is therefore suggested for
(acid detergent fibre) than with the
experimental purposes.
higher DE content (Gidenne and Lebas,
2005).
Based on the relationship between
die- tary DE content and intake, an
improved

Table 14.5. Global feed conversion ratio for different slaughter weights and the number of rabbits
produced per doe year−1 (adapted from Maertens et al., 2005a).
Number of rabbits produced per doe year−1

Slaughter weight (kg) 4 45 50 5

0 5
2.00 3. 3.39 3.21 3.
6 0
4 7
2.25 3. 3.53 3.34 3.
7 1
9 9
2.50 4. 3.75 3.55 3.
0 3
3 9
FCR can be obtained with diets of high
A phase feeding programme, including
energy concentration. However, due to the
higher energy concentration diets in the
dietary fibre requirements of rabbits and
finishing stage, improves FCR. Based on
the low digestibility of different fibre
several studies, an improvement in FCR of
classes (Gidenne, 2003), rabbit diets have a
0.15–0.20 for 0.5 MJ DE kg−1 can be
low energy content (DE or metabolizable
expected (Maertens, 2009). However,
energy) compared to poultry and pig diets.
more trials are necessary to verify if this
While respecting fibre requirements,
relationship is linear (especially with fat
diets of high energy concentration can be
addition) and between which margins of
obtained by adding fat (and to a lesser con-
dietary energy content.
tent digestible fibre). The DE content of
fats (or oils) is nearly three times as high as
that of cereals (Maertens et al., 2002). 14.7.4 Mortality
However, because of the necessity for
rabbit diets to be pelleted, the addition is
It is evident that mortality has a very
limited to 20–30 g kg−1 because of its
large impact on FCR (Table 14.7). For this
negative impact on the pellet quality
calcu- lation, the weight gain and feed
(Maertens, 1998). If it is taken into account
intake data for a 5-week fattening period
that a replacement of 20 g cereal with 20 g
(between 30 and 65 days of age), as
fat (oil) kg−1 results in an increase in the
presented in Table 14.3, were used. The
dietary DE content of 0.44 MJ kg−1, a
effect of both increasing mortality (from
decrease in the FCR by about 0.15, or 5–7%,
0% to 20%) and the timing of mortality
can be expected. This effect has again been
(week 1, week 2–3 or during the last
demonstrated by Corrent et al. (2007);
week) are presented.
rabbits did not reduce their feed intake,
If mortality occurs in the early
and consequently the higher daily energy
fattening stage, the economic FCR
intake resulted in a more favourable FCR
deteriorates only slightly. However, if the
(Table 14.6). Because amino acids were
losses (mortality and culled rabbits) are
adjusted to the dietary DE content, daily
concentrated at the end of the fattening
weight gain also tended to be higher with
period, the FCR is 11.2% and 26.1% worse
the higher energy concentration diets.
for mortality rates of 10% and 20%,
The use of diets of higher energy con-
respectively (Table 14.7)
centration to improve the FCR is especially
(Maertens, 2009).
interesting during the finishing stage.
Losses in the fattening unit also have
Shortly after weaning, feed consumption is
consequences on the FCR in the reproduc-
low and optimizing digestive health is of
tion unit. Before weaning these rabbits
primary importance. However, in the sec-
have consumed feed and, moreover, the
ond fattening stage rabbits are less sensi-
feed con- sumption of the mother has to
tive to digestive disorders and about 0.66
be divided between fewer weaned
of the feed is consumed during this period.
rabbits. This will be discussed further in
the management paragraph.

Table 14.6. Effect of dietary digestible energy (DE) content on growth and feed conversion ratio during
the finishing period (Corrent et al., 2007).

Energy content of diet (MJ DE kg–1)a

10.25 (24.5) 10.67 11.08 P
(34.4) (39.5) value
Weight gain (g day−1) between 48 and 70 days 47.2 4 50.3 0.06
8.
2
Feed intake (g day−1) between 48 and 70 days 168.8 163.5 168.4 >0.10
Feed conversion ratio 3.60 3.40b 3.36c <0.01
a
Values in parentheses are ether extract (g kg–1).
b,c
Data with different letter are statistically different (P <0.05).
Table 14.7. Economic feed conversion ratio in the
fattening unit as affected by mortality and age of
The FCR obtained in such a
losses. productive maternity unit is only 2.79,
but this does not take into account
Mortality (%)
Age when weanlings losses in the fattening unit. The
mortality 0 5 1 1 2 feed consumption before weaning of these
occurs 0 5 0 rabbits is lost and the FCR worsens in the
Week 1 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. maternity unit. In Table 14.9, the effect
7 7 7 7 8 of post-weaning losses is pre- sented for
2 4 6 8 1
Week 2–3 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. different production levels.
7 7 8 9 0 When 10% losses are considered, the
2 8 5 2 0 FCR worsens to 3.45 at a production level
Week 4–5 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. of 57 young. On the other hand, an
7 8 0 2 4
increase of five young per doe year−1 leads
2 6 2 0 3
to an improved FCR of 3.09, a decrease of
11%. The simultaneous impact of an
increase of five weaned young and a
14.7.5 Management decrease of 5% of post-weaning mortality
results in an improved FCR (e.g. from 3.45
In practice, a 42-day reproduction cycle is to 2.93) (Table 14.9).
generally used. However, fertility rate, lit-
ter size and pre-weaning mortality have a
very large impact on the number of rabbits
14.7.6 Other factors involved in the FCR
weaned per doe and, as a consequence, on
the FCR of the reproduction unit. Data
concerning this FCR are very scarce in the Restricted feeding in the fattening unit
literature. Therefore, a calculation is pre- has proved to be helpful in overcoming
sented for a rabbit unit with weaning at 35 diges- tive disorders, especially shortly
days, based on recent feed intake data after wean- ing, but it has also a
obtained at our institute (Table 14.8) favourable effect on FCR. According to
(Maertens, 2009). During the entire lacta- Gidenne et al. (2003b), the following
tion period, productive does and their relationship is found during the 5-week
young consume on average 18.5 kg of feed. fattening period:
Furthermore, their feed consumption out- FCR = 2.88 − 0.021 × feed restriction
side of the lactation period has to be con- (proportion)
sidered (110 days year−1), in addition to the
feed consumption of the young females This means that an improvement of
and females in pre-gestation cages 0.21 in FCR can be obtained when
(together 45 days year−1). For the rabbits are
calculation of FCR in a productive 0.10 restricted-fed (i.e. 0.9 of ad libitum).
maternity, we have assumed an average of However, this gain has to be considered
7.3 litters per doe year−1 and
8.5 weaned kits per litter.

Table 14.8. Calculation of the feed conversion ratio in a productive reproduction unit (for 100 does).
Feed consumed Product
Per Weig
100 ht
Stage does Rabbits produced (kg)
(kg)
Lactation: 18.5 kg per litter × 7.3 13.5 8.5 weaned per litter × 7.3 litters or 6.200
litters 05 62
per doe year−1 weaned per doe year−1 with a
weight
of 1.0 kg
Only pregnant: 110 days × 160 g 1.7 Sold females: 50 with an economic 150
day−1 60
 weight of 3 kg
Young females and females in 2.4
rearing 64
cages: 45 × 365 days × 150 g
day−1
Total 17.7 Total 6.350
29
FCR 2.79
 Table 14.9. Feed conversion ratio in the maternity
unit, as affected by post-weaning mortality and
ally caged rabbits have a higher daily weight
production level. gain and better FCR. In a Spanish study, the
difference in favour of individual caging
No. of weaned young per
was 11.8% (Garcia-Palomares et al., 2006).
Losses in the doe year−1 Housing in large groups (pens) or on an
fattening unit (%) 6 5 5 alter- native floor (e.g. straw) always leads
2 7 2 to a dete- rioration in the FCR (Dal Bosco
et al., 2002).
0 2. 3 3.
7 . 3
In addition, environmental conditions
9 0 1 affect the FCR because of their effect on
3 the requirements for thermoregulation.
During the summer, a better FCR is obtained
5 2. 3 3. than during the winter despite the lower
growth rate. On the other hand, higher
growth rates
under the restriction plan that was applied in their trials.
Females that do not immediately become pregnant have to be restricted-fed because over-
fattening impairs their subse- quent reproductive performance and leads to a reduced output in the
subsequent lacta- tion (Pascual et al., 2003). Based on the data in Table 14.8, an over-consumption of
10 g day−1 leads to a deterioration of 2–3% of the FCR in the maternity unit.
Fattening rabbits are mainly caged in a group size of six to eight. However, several comparative trials have
shown that individu-
but worse FCRs are observed at low temper- atures (winter) compared to fattening under heat stress
(Ramon et al., 1996).
Finally, feed wastage due to the feeder design or meal losses can have a significant impact on
the FCR. Pregnant females can waste large amounts of feed by scratching it out of un-modified
feeders. Another important wastage results from rabbits not eating fines. Any mash present in the
pel- lets or formed in the feeding system wors- ens FCR. Farm data indicate that this loss can
approach 1.5–2% of the total amount of feed.