Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-qsmjn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T06:28:21.079Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Feed intake limitation strategies for the growing rabbit: effect on feeding behaviour, welfare, performance, digestive physiology and health: a review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

T. Gidenne ,
S. Combes  and
L. Fortun-Lamothe
T. Gidenne*
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France , INPT ENSAT, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, Université de Toulouse, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France ENVT, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, F-31076 Toulouse, France
S. Combes
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France , INPT ENSAT, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, Université de Toulouse, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France ENVT, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, F-31076 Toulouse, France
L. Fortun-Lamothe
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France , INPT ENSAT, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, Université de Toulouse, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France ENVT, UMR 1289 Tissus Animaux Nutrition Digestion Ecosystème et Métabolisme, F-31076 Toulouse, France
*
†E-mail: thierry.gidenne@toulouse.inra.fr
Get access

Abstract

This review aims to present the different effects produced by a post-weaning intake limitation strategy on the growing rabbit, now largely used by French professional rabbit breeders. Although a quantitative feed restriction leads to slower growth, feed conversion (FC) is improved, particularly when the rabbits are again fed freely, as compensatory growth occurs. This better FC or the healthy rabbit is because of better digestion resulting from slower passage through the intestine, whereas the digestive physiology is slightly modified (morphometry of the intestinal mucosa, fermentation pattern, microbiota). Meat quality and carcass characteristics are not greatly affected by feed restriction, except for a lower dressing-out percentage. One of the main advantages of limiting post-weaning intake of the rabbit is to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate due to digestive disorders (particularly epizootic rabbit enteropathy syndrome). The consequences for animal welfare are debatable, as feed restriction probably leads to hunger, but it reduces the incidence of digestive troubles after weaning. However, the growing rabbit adapts very well to an intake limitation strategy, without any aggressive behaviour for congener. In conclusion, restriction strategies could improve profitability of rabbit breeding, but they should be adapted to any specific breeding situation, according to the national market, feed prices, etc.

Keywords

feed restriction strategiesdigestive healthgrowthrabbitfeed conversion
Type
Review
Information
animal , Volume 6 , Issue 9 , September 2012 , pp. 1407 - 1419
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ben Rayana, A, Ben Amouda, M, Bergaoui, R 2008. Effect of water restriction times of 2 and 4 h per day on performances of growing rabbits. Proceedings of the 9th World Rabbit Congress, June 10–13, 2008, Verona, Italy, pp. 541–545. Fond. Ini. Zooprofilattiche E Zoot. publ. Brescia Italy.Google Scholar
Bergaoui, R, Kammoun, M, Ouerdiane, K 2008. Effects of feed restriction on the performance and carcass of growing rabbits. Proceedings of the 9th World Rabbit Congress, June 10–13, 2008, Verona, Italy, pp. 547–550. Fond. Ini. Zooprofilattiche E Zoot. publ. Brescia Italy.Google Scholar
Boisot, P, Licois, D, Gidenne, T 2003. Feed restriction reduces the sanitary impact of an experimental reproduction of Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy syndrome (ERE), in the growing rabbit. In 10ème Journées de Recherches Cunicoles Françaises (ed. G Bolet), pp. 267–270. ITAVI publishing, Paris, France.Google Scholar
Boisot, P, Duperray, J, Dugenétais, X, Guyonvarch, A 2004. Interest of hydric restriction times of 2 and 3 h per day to induce feed rstriction in growing rabbits. In Proceedings of the 8th World Rabbit Congress (ed. C Becerril and A Pro), pp. 759–764. Colegio de Postgraduados for WRSA, Puebla, Mexico. Retrieved January 30, 2012 from http://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2004-Puebla/Puebla-2004-a.htm Google Scholar
Boisot, P, Duperray, J, Guyonvarch, A 2005. Intérêt d'une restriction hydrique en comparaison au rationnement alimentaire en bonnes conditions sanitaires et lors d'une reproduction expérimentale de l'Entéropathie Epizootique du Lapin (EEL). In Proceedings of the 11èmes Journées de Recherches Cunicoles Françaises (ed. G Bolet), pp. 133–136. ITAVI Publishing, Paris, France.Google Scholar
Bovera, F, Piccolo, G, D'Urso, S, Nizza, S, Cutrignelli, MI 2008. Feed restriction during summer: effect on rabbit carcass traits and meat quality. Proceedings of the 9th World Rabbit Congress, June 10–13, 2008, Verona, Italy, pp. 1325–1330. Fond. Ini. Zooprofilattiche E Zoot. publ. Brescia Italy.Google Scholar
Cantier, J, Vezinhet, A, Rouvier, R 1969. Allométrie de croissance chez le lapin. I) Principaux organes et tissus. Annales de Biologie animale, Biochimie, Biophysique 14, 271–292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carabaño, R, Badiola, I, Chamorro, S, García, J, García-Ruiz, AI, García-Rebollar, P, Gómez-Conde, MS, Gutiérrez, I, Nicodemus, N, Villamide, MJ, De Blas, JC 2008. Review. New trends in rabbit feeding: influence of nutrition on intestinal health. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 6, 15–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dalle Zotte, A, Ouhayoun, J 1998. Effect of genetic origin, diet and weaning weight on carcass composition, muscle physicochemical and histochemical traits in the rabbit. Meat Science 50, 471–478.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dalle Zotte, A, Rémignon, H, Ouhayoun, J 2005. Effect of feed rationing during post-weaning growth on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and fibre properties of Biceps femoris muscle in the rabbit. Meat Science 70, 301–306.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Blas, C, Garcia, J, Carabaño, R 1999. Role of fibre in rabbit diets. A review. Annales de Zootechnie 48, 3–13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Diaz Arca, F, Perez Alba, LM, Perez Hernandez, M 1999. Digestibility and energy retention by young rabbits fed different levels of intake. Annales de Zootechnie 48, 289–295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Di Méo, C, Bovera, F, Marono, S, Vella, N, Nizza, A 2007. Effect of feed restriction on performance and feed digestibility in rabbits. In Proceedings of the XVII Associazione Scientifica di Produzione animale, pp. 765–767. Italian Journal of Animal Science Publishing, 29 May–1 June, Alghero, Italy.Google Scholar
Duperray, J, Gyonvarch, A 2009. Effect of different quantitative feed restriction strategies on fattening performance, and interest of a high energy and protein feed. In Proceedings of the 13èmes Journées de la Recherche Cunicole Française(ed. G Bolet), pp. 59–62. ITAVI Publishing, Le Mans, France.Google Scholar
El Maghraby, MMA 2011. Effect of restricted access to drinking water on growth, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of fattening rabbits. Asian Journal of Animal Sciences 5, 136–144.Google Scholar
Fioramonti, J, Ruckebusch, Y 1974. La motricité caecale chez le lapin. (2) Variations d'origine alimentaire. Annales de Recherche Vétérinaires 5, 201–212.Google Scholar
Fodor, K, Fekete, SG, Zoldag, L, Bersenyi, A, Gaspardy, A, Andrasofszky, E, Kulcsar, M, Eszes, F 2001. Influence of feeding intensity on corporeal development, body composition and sexual maturity in female rabbits. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 49, 399–411.Google Scholar
Foubert, C, Boisot, P, Duperray, J, Guyonvarch, A 2007. Interêt d'un accès limité à la mangeoire de 6h, 8h et 10 h par jour pour engendrer un rationnement alimentaire chez le lapin en engraissement. Proceedings of the 12èmes Journées de la recherche Cunicole, Le Mans, France, pp. 123–126.Google Scholar
Foubert, C, Duperray, J, Guyonvarch, A 2008a. Intérêt d'un aliment fibreux concentré en énergie chez le lapin de chair rationné. Proceedings of the Journée Nationale ITAVI – Elevage du lapin de chair, 25 Novembre 2008, pp. 1–8. ITAVI, Pacé.Google Scholar
Foubert, C, Duperray, J, Boisot, P, Guyonvarch, A 2008b. Effect of feed restriction with or without free access to drinking water on performance of growing rabbits in healthy or epizootic rabbit enteropathy conditions. In Proceedings of the 9th World Rabbit Congress. (ed. G Xiccato and SD Lukefahr), pp. 667–671. Fondazione Iniziative Zooprofilattiche e Zootecniche de Brescia, Italy.Google Scholar
Gallois, M, Gidenne, T, Fortun-Lamothe, L, Le Huerou-Luron, I 2005. An early stimulation of solid feed intake slightly influences the morphological gut maturation in the rabbit. Reproduction Nutrition Development 45, 109–122.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T 1987. Effet de l'addition d'un concentré riche en fibres dans une ration à base de foin, distribuée à deux niveaux alimentaires chez la lapine adulte. 2/ Mesures de digestibilité. Reproduction Nutrition Development 27, 801–810.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T 2003. Fibres in rabbit feeding for digestive troubles prevention: respective role of low-digested and digestible fibre. Livestock Production Science 81, 105–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gidenne, T, Bellier, R 1992. Etude in vivo de l'activité fermentaire caecale chez le lapin. Mise au point et validation d'une nouvelle technique de canulation caecale. Reproduction Nutrition Development 32, 365–376.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gidenne, T, Lapanouse, A 1997. Rate of passage in the rabbit digestive tract: influence of marker dosing time, ileal cannulation and marker type. World Rabbit Science 5, 27–32.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Lebas, F 2006. Feeding behaviour in rabbits. In Feeding in domestic vertebrates. From structure to behaviour (ed. V Bels), pp. 179–209. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gidenne, T, Feugier, A 2009. Feed restriction strategy in the growing rabbit. 1. Impact on digestion, rate of passage and microbial activity. Animal 3, 501–508.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Poncet, C, Gomez, L 1987. Effet de l'addition d'un concentré riche en fibres dans une ration à base de foin, distribuée à deux niveaux alimentaires chez la lapine adulte. 1/ Temps de séjour moyen des aliments. Reproduction Nutrition Development 7, 733–743.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Garcia, J, Lebas, F, Licois, D 2010. Nutrition and feeding strategy: interactions with pathology. In Nutrition of the rabbit (ed. C De Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 179–199. CABI, UK.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Combes, S, Feugier, A, Jehl, N, Arveux, P, Boisot, P, Briens, C, Corrent, E, Fortune, H, Montessuy, S, Verdelhan, S 2009a. Feed restriction strategy in the growing rabbit. 2. Impact on digestive health, growth and carcass characteristics. Animal 3, 509–515.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Murr, S, Travel, A, Corrent, E, Foubert, C, Bebin, K, Mevel, L, Rebours, G, Renouf, B 2009b. Effets du niveau de rationnement et du mode de distribution de l'aliment sur les performances et les troubles digestifs post-sevrage du lapereau. Premiers résultats d'une étude concertée du réseau GEC. Cuniculture Magazine 36, 65–72.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Bannelier, C, Combes, S, Fortun-Lamothe, L 2009c. Interaction between the energetic feed concentration and the restriction strategy – impact on feeding behaviour, growth and health of the rabbit. 13ème Journées de Recherches Cunicoles, Le Mans, France, pp. 63–66.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Travel, A, Murr, S, Oliveira, H, Corrent, E, Foubert, C, Bebin, K, Mevel, L, Rebours, G, Renouf, B, Gigaud, V 2009d. Restricted intake and feed distribution mode – impact on feeding behaviour, digestion and carcass quality. 13ème Journées de Recherches Cunicoles, Le Mans, France, pp. 43–46.Google Scholar
Gondret, F, Lebas, F, Bonneau, M 2000. Restricted Feed Intake during Fattening Reduces Intramuscular Lipid Deposition without Modifying Muscle Fiber Characteristics in Rabbits. Journal of Nutrition 130, 228–233.Google Scholar
Jérome, N, Mousset, JL, Messager, B, Deglaire, I, Marie, P 1998. Influence de différentes méthodes de rationnement sur les performances de croissance et d'abattage du lapin. In A7èmes Journées de Recherches Cunicoles (ed. JM Perez), pp. 175–178. ITAVI Publishing, Paris, Lyon.Google Scholar
Laplace, JP, Lebas, F 1975. Le transit digestif chez le lapin. 3) Influence de l'heure et du mode d'administration sur l'excrétion fécale du Cérium 41 chez le lapin alimenté ad-libitum. Annales de Zootechnie 24, 255–265.Google Scholar
Lebas, F 1979. Efficacité de la digestion chez la lapine adulte. Effet du niveau d'alimentation et du stade de gestation. Annales de Biologie Animale, Biochimie et Biophysique 19, 969–973.Google Scholar
Lebas, F 2007. L'utilisation de la restriction alimentaire dans le filière cunicole. Cuniculture Magazine, ASFC. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://www.asfc-lapin.com/Docs/Activite/T-ronde-2007/T-ronde2007-1.htm Google Scholar
Lebas, F, Delaveau, A 1975. Influence de la restriction du temps d'accès à la boisson sur la consommation alimentaire et la croissance du lapin. Annales de Zootechnie 24, 311–313.Google Scholar
Lebas, F, Laplace, JP 1982. Mensurations viscérales chez le lapin. 4. Effets de divers modes de restriction alimentaire sur la croissance corporelle et viscérale. Annales de Zootechnie 31, 391–430.Google Scholar
Ledin, I 1984a. Effect of restricted feeding and realimentation on growth, carcass composition and organ growth during the first seven days of realimentation in rabbit. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica 34, 54–66.Google Scholar
Ledin, I 1984b. Effect of restricted feeding and realimentation on compensatory growth and organ growth in rabbit. Annales de Zootechnie 33, 33–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maertens, L, Peeters, JE 1988. Effect of feed restriction after weaning on fattening performances and caecal traits of early weaned rabbits. Deutsche Veterinarmediznische Gesellschaft, Celle, Germany, pp. 158–169.Google Scholar
Marlier, D, Dewree, R, Delleur, V, Licois, D, Lassence, C, Poulipoulis, A, Vindevogel, H 2003. A review of the major causes of digestive disorders in the European rabbit. Annales de Medecine Veterinaire 147, 385–392.Google Scholar
Martignon, MH 2010. Consequences of a feed intake control on digestive physiopathology and on feeding behaviour. PhD thesis, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, 194pp. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://ethesis.inp-toulouse.fr/archive/00001486/ Google Scholar
Martignon, MH, Combes, S, Gidenne, T 2009. Effect of the feed distribution mode in a strategy of feed restriction: effect on the feed intake pattern, growth and digestive health in the rabbit. 13ème Journées de recherches Cunicoles, Le Mans, France, pp. 39–42.Google Scholar
Martignon, MH, Combes, S, Gidenne, T 2010a. Digestive physiology and hindgut bacterial community of the young rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): effects of age and short-term intake limitation. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology – Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 156, 156–162.Google Scholar
Martignon, MH, Reperant, E, Valat, C 2010b. Digestive response of young rabbits to an experimental reproduction of colibacillosis according to two feeding strategies. Proceedings of The Prato Conference on the Pathogenesis of Bacterial Diseases of Animals, 6–9 October 2010, Monash Prato Campus, Prato, Italy.Google Scholar
Matics, ZS, Dalle Zotte, A, Radnai, I, Kovács, M, Metzger, SZ, Szendrõ, ZS 2008. Effect of restricted feeding after weaning on the productive and carcass traits of growing rabbits. Proceedings of the 9th World Rabbit Congress, Verona, Italy, pp. 741–745. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2008-Verona/Verona-2008-a.htm Google Scholar
Ouhayoun, J 1998. Influence of the diet on rabbit meat quality. In The nutrition of the rabbit (ed. C De Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 177–195. CABI Publishing., Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Pálsson, H 1955. Conformation and body composition. In Progress in the physiology of farm animals (ed. J Hammond), vol. II, p. 430. Butterworth, London.Google Scholar
Perrier, G 1998. Influence de deux niveaux et de deux durées de restriction alimentaire sur l'efficacité productive du lapin et les caractéristiques bouchères de la carcasse. 7èmes Journées de la Recherche Cunicole, Lyon, France, pp. 179–182.Google Scholar
Perrier, G, Ouhayoun, J 1996. Growth and carcass traits of the rabbit a comparative study of three modes of feed rationing during fattening. Proceedings of the 6th World Rabbit Congress, Toulouse, pp. 225–232.Google Scholar
Prud'hon, M, Cherubin, M, Goussopoulos, J, Carles, Y 1975. Evolution au cours de la croissance des caractéristiques de la consommation d'aliments solides et liquides du lapin domestique nourri ad libitum. Annales de Zootechnie 24, 289–298.Google Scholar
Romero, C, Cuesta, S, Astillero, JR, Nicodemus, N, De Blas, C 2010. Effect of early feed restriction on performance and health status in growing rabbits slaughtered at 2 kg live-weight. World Rabbit Science 18, 211–218.Google Scholar
Ruckebusch, Y, Grivel, ML, Fargeas, MJ 1971. Activité électrique de l'intestin et prise de nourriture conditionnelle chez le lapin. Physiology & Behavior 6, 359–366.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schlolaut, W, Lange, K, Schluter, H 1978. Influence de l'intensite alimentaire sur les performances d'engraissement et la qualité de carcasse chez le lapereau à l'engrais. Zuchtungskunde 50, 401–411.Google Scholar
Szendrö, Z, Szabo, S, Hullar, I 1988. Effect of reduction of eating time on production of growing rabbits. Proceedings of the 4th Congress of the World Rabbit Science Association, Budapest, Hungary, pp. 104–114.Google Scholar
Szendrö, Z, Metzger, S, Fébel, H, Hullár, I, Maertens, L, Bianchi, M, Cavani, C, Petracci, M, Biró-Németh, E, Radnai, I 2008. Effect of energy restriction in interaction with genotype on the performance of growing rabbits I: productive traits. Livestock Science 118, 123–131.Google Scholar
Taranto, S, Di Meo, C, Stanco, G, Piccolo, G, Gazaneo, MP, Nizza, A 2003. Influence of age at weaning on caecal content characteristics and post-weaning performance and health of rabbits. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 16, 1540–1544.Google Scholar
Tudela, F, Lebas, F 2006. Modalités du rationnement des lapins en engraissement. Effets du mode de distribution de la ration quotidienne sur la vitesse de croissance, le comportement alimentaire et l'homogénéité des poids. Cuniculture Magazine 33, pp. 21–27. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://www.cuniculture.info/Docs/Magazine/Magazine2006/mag33-021.htm Google Scholar
Tumova, E, Skrivanova, V, Skrivan, M 2003. Effect of restricted feeding time and quantitative restriction in growing rabbits. Archiv Fur Geflügelkunde 67, 182–190.Google Scholar
Tumova, E, Zita, L, Stolc, L 2006. Carcass quality in restricted and ad libitum fed rabbits. Czech Journal of Animal Science 51, 214–219.Google Scholar
Tumova, E, Skrivan, M, Skrivanova, V, Kacerivska, L 2002. Effect of early feed restriction on growth in broiler chickens, turkeys and rabbits. Czech Journal of Animal Science 47, 418–428.Google Scholar
Tumova, E, Zita, L, Skrivanova, V, Fucikova, A, Skrivan, M, Buresova, M 2007. Digestibility of nutrients, organ development and blood picture in restricted and ad libitum fed broiler rabbits. Archiv Fur Geflügelkunde 71, 6–12.Google Scholar
Van Harten, S, Cardoso, LA 2010. Feed restriction and genetic selection on the expression and activity of metabolism regulatory enzymes in rabbits. Animal 4, 1873–1883.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Verdelhan, S, Bourdillon, A, Morel-Saives, A, Audoin, E 2004. Effect of a limited access to water on mortality of fattening rabbits. Proceedings of the 8th World Rabbit Congress, Puebla, Mexico (ed. C Becerril and A Pro), pp. 1015–1021. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://www.dcam.upv.es/1018wrc/ Google Scholar
Weissman, D, Troislouches, G, Picard, E, Davoust, C, Leroux, C, Launay, C 2009. Amélioration de l'indice de consommation de lapins en engraissement par une distribution nocture de l'aliment. 13èmes Journées de la Recherche Cunicole, 17–18 Novembre 2009, Le Mans, ITAVI Publishing, Paris, France, pp. 1–3.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G, Cinetto, M 1988. Effect of nutritive level and age on feed digestibility and nitrogen balance in rabbit. Proceedings of the 4th Congress of World Rabbit Science Association, Budapest, Hungary, pp. 96–103.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G, Cinetto, M, Dalle Zotte, A 1992. Effect of feeding plane and category of rabbit on digestive efficiency and nitrogen balance. Zootecnia e Nutrizione Animale 181, 35–43.Google Scholar
Yakubu, A, Salako, AE, Ladokun, AO, Adua, MM, Bature, TUK 2007. Effects of feed restriction on performance, carcass yield, relative organ weights and some linear body measurements of weaner rabbits. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 6, 391–396.Google Scholar