Use of dehydrated sainfoin in rabbit feeding. Effects of a moderate dietary incorporation on performance and health of does and growing rabbits under an optimal farming environment

The effects of a moderate incorporation dehydrated sainfoin Perly cultivar (DS) in rabbit feeds on the performance and health reproductive growing rabbits were analysed over two consecutive cycles professional breeding environment. Two groups 192 does associated litters fed isonutritive containing either 0 or 13% (respectively C (control) vs. S (“sainfoin”) groups) replacement mainly alfalfa. Growing included 15.6% safoin, respectively. Doe live weight, number at birth stillborn rate not affected by dietary DS incorporation. In cycle 1, fertility was 10% higher for S-group, but similar among 2nd (significant interaction). Incorporation had no impact kit growth before weaning, improved post-weaning 6% (P<0.001) feed conversion ratio 7%. Dietary effect doe mortality, which very low (<2%, P=0.07). culling half lower with 1 (25% group 12% S; P<0.05). 2, (3.2%) diets interaction between diet effects). Pre-weaning mortality kits slightly S-group (1.1 1.5%). Post-weaning also reduced (3.0 1.8%; P<0.001). A can be recommended reproducing feeds.