Performance of rabbits, raised under differents available areas

Abstract

Data from 72 male rabbits of the White New Zealand breed were studied. Objective was to verify the ideal number of animals per square meter. The animals start the experiment with 56 days of age. Experimental design was randomized complete-block design, with four treatment (A, B, C and D), and four blocks, (3, 4, 5 and 6 animals per cage with 0,675 m² each). The length of the experiment was 35 days. Analysis of variance for weight gain, feed consumption, feed convertion, and carcass yield showed that there was no influence among treatment. It was concluded that the animals produced the same amount of meat, even with 6 bucks per cage, or one rabbit per 0,1125m².