Evaluation of rabbit young stock grown using starter compound feed by growth intensity and functional state of the body

The possibility of improving the technology of raising suckling and weaned kits aged 18–42 days, which would involve the use of starter compound feed, was studied in the conducted research. The object of the research was the livestock of rabbits of the Poltava Silver breed. The research was conducted at the experimental rabbitry of the Cherkasy Research Station of Bioresources. The experiments were carried out in a closed capital ventilated premises using metal cages for keeping suckling does with litters measuring 95×39 cm, equipped with feeders and automatic waterers. The cages intended for feeding suckling kits with starter compound feed were slightly modified: an additional feeder was installed in the compartment for young stock, and only the kits had the possibility of free movement between different compartments of the cage. By the method of group analogs from nests of suckling 18-day-old kits, two subgroups of 25 heads each were formed. The preparatory period lasted 5 days, and the main one – 19 days (raising up to 42 days of age, with weaning at 35). Suckling does of both groups were fed a complete granulated feed PK 91 (for adult rabbits and does aged 90 days and older “Lux”) produced by LLC “KreMix”. For the animals of the experimental group, a recipe for additional complete granulated starter compound feed was developed, produced at a farm in the village of Tashlik, Smila district. Thus, both starter compound feed and feed for feeding suckling does were used for the kits of the experimental group, and for the analogs of the control group - the same feed as for the does. The conducted research revealed that the use of complete granulated starter compound feed for feeding young rabbits aged 18–42 days as an additional feed, developed according to international standards, did not lead to an increase in the total cost of feed per 1 kg of live weight gain, but on the contrary, reduced it. Due to the increase in the retention rate of the replacement young stock in the experimental group by 8.0 % provided its realization for further breeding per 100 heads, contributed to additional income of 1015.28 UAH. (market realization price – 140.00 UAH/kg of live weight). Based on the conducted research, an information database of growth and development indicators of replacement young stock of rabbits when fed starter compound feed at the age of 18–42 days has been created.