Rabbit breeding and excretions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

The aim of this study was to evaluate, by means of a survey, the forage intake and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) excretions in breeding and fattening rabbit farms. The does produced an average of 6,4 litters a year and kittens were weaned between 24 and 35 days. In the fattening units, 5,2 stock rotations were accomplished a year and a final weight of 2,9 kg was reached with an average gain of 42 g/d and a feed conversion ratio 4,17. Based on fresh matter, the N, P and K contents of rabbits were respectively 30,4, 6,5 and 3,1 g/kg. The dietary contents ranged between 21,4 and 23,8 g N, 5,0 and 6,0 g P and between 13,5 and 14,9 g K depending on the animal category. Forage intake represented 20, 15 and 9 % of total intake by does, young breeding stock and fattening rabbits respectively. The annual excretion of N and P was lower than the currently used standards in rabbit breeding but higher in rabbit fattening. The annual K excretion was considerably higher than currently believed in cuniculture.