Challenges in rabbit doe feeding, including the young doe

In this review is summarized the last knowledge on rabbit doe nutrition, to complement current nutritional requirements and strategies for young adult does, considering production, health, welfare issues. The must reach an adequate maturity level (body condition) at first artificial insemination (AI) face its productive life with minimal guarantees (around 7.0 mm of perirenal fat thickness, 2.8 ng/mL plasma leptin concentration around 18% 15-20% body protein fat, respectively). This goal can be achieved by restricting feed intake from 12 weeks age until AI or feeding ad libitum a fibrous diet (<10.5 MJ digestible energy/kg) 60 d parturition. Once reproducing, increase n-3 fatty acids (or reduction n-6/n-3 ratio), soluble fibre (under epizootic enteropathy) Arg/Lys Gln/Lys ratios may help improve reproductive traits although their optimal inclusion remain identified. It recommended limit excessive negative energy balance before parturition, supplementation glucose precursors reduce ketosis incidence could useful. formulation different diets litter fit better assuring health would option consider when it applicable in farm. influence mother microbiota immune status potential modulation through open new research area that will deserve more studies next future.