THE INFLUENCE OF LIGHTING INTENSITY IN THE RABBIT HUSBANDRY ON THE PRODUCTIVE QUALITIES OF RABBITS OF THE POLTAVA SILVER BREED

Abstract

The results of the assessment of the influence of light intensity during daylight hours on the productive qualities of Poltava Silver rabbits are presented. The research

was conducted on the Poltava Silver rabbit population of the Cherkasy region on the basis of the experimental rabbit farm of the Cherkasy Research Station of Bioresources of the NAAS. According to zoohygienic standards, the minimum light intensity for a rabbit is up to 50 Lux. (EFSA). This level is necessary for animals to make visual contact, explore their environment, and demonstrate active behavior. Our research has proven that increasing lighting intensity has a positive effect on the manifestation of the genetic potential of animals and ensures an increase in productivity. It was established that the largest number of offspring per brood (10.8 heads (maximum number in the nest is 15 and minimum – 8 heads), fertilization of females (98%) was achieved at a lighting intensity of 100 Lux. The worst fertility rates were obtained in the control group, where the animals were left under 30 Lux of lighting, which is used mainly in fattening groups. Under these conditions, the fertilization rate from the first insemination was only 72% - with an average yield of 7.8 rabbits per female (the maximum number in the nest was 9 and the minimum was 3 animals). Under the same temperature, feeding, and housing conditions (except for the light factor), a difference was observed in the percentage of offspring surviving in the nest until weaning. With increasing light intensity, the survival rate of offspring increased: from 85.3% in the control group to 95.2% in the third experimental group at a light intensity of 100 Lux. The highest indicators were obtained among the female rabbits of the second and third experimental groups, which ranged from 5950.4±84.7 g to 6789.2±9.22 g. Accordingly, these groups obtained significantly higher values for nest mass at 21 days. Rabbits of the second and third experimental groups at illumination from 75 Lux to 100 Lux significantly outperformed their peers in terms of live weight in virtually all age periods. The average absolute gain during the growing period in the group of rabbits where the lighting intensity of 30 Lux was used was 2952.5±23.50 g. At a lighting intensity of 100 Lux, it was over 3321.4±18.97 g, which is 12.5% more than the control. In males and females raised under different lighting intensities, a significant difference was found in chest girth (from 2.3 to 3.4 cm), body length (from 2.3 and 2.4 cm), and the hump index (from 2.5 to 5.1%). Under conditions of increased lighting intensity during daylight hours, the replacement young rabbits of the Poltava Silver breed had not only more intensive growth, but also better body development.