ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to determine the reproductive responses of does to zinc. The experiment was carried out in the Rabbitary Unit of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. A total of twelve rabbits does aged 5 — 6 months were used for the experiment. The does were randomly divided into two groups with six does per treatment. The groups were represented as (T1 ) and (T2), with T1as treatment group and T2as control. T1 does, were fed concentrate supplemented with zinc at an inclusion level of 200 PPM while T2does, were fed concentrates devoid of zinc supplement. They were also given forage and water. The parameters studied were: gestation length, litter size at birth and weaning, litter weight at birth and weaning, pre weaning mortality and stillbirth. The result of the study showed no significant differences in the parameters measured apart from stillbirth and litter weight at weaning. The stillbirth (0.00) of T1was significantly lower (P< 0.05) than that of T (0.33 ), also liUer weight at weaning ( 143.50g) of T1was significantly higher (P<0.05 ) than 136.00g for individual kit weaning weight of T2. It can be concluded that does fed zinc performed better than the control group.