Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different weaning times (at 25th, 30th and 35th day of age) and different housing models on feed intake, growth performance, some biochemical constituents, hematological parameters and economic efficiency of growing New Zealand White rabbits. One hundred and twenty New Zealand White rabbits were taken from multiparous does at the weaning age of 25, 30 and 35 days. They were allocated into six groups of 20 rabbits each (10 males and10 females) of similar body weight. Rabbits were housed in two different housing models with different environmental conditions (Building A and B).
The results showed that, rabbits that have been reared in building A have significantly higher final body weight than those reared in building B. There was a significant difference (p

Key words: Rabbits, weaning age, blood parameters, growth performance, welfare.