| The present experiment was conducted to determine the effects of creep-feed supplementation on growth and development of kits during the pre and post weaning stages, mortality rate, and reproductive performance of the does. Twenty primiparous New Zealand White does, under an intensive reproductive system (eight kindlings per year) were randomly allotted to four treatment groups: (1) Control, no creep feed and weaning at 30 days of age, (2) with creep feed #1 and weaning at 30 days, (3) with creep feed #1 and weaning at 21 days, and (4) with creep feed #2 and weaning at 21 days. All does were mated at 14 days after parturition.; The results showed that kindling rate as well as litter size at kindling decreased with parity. Creep-feed supplementation did not affect the energy balance of does during gestation or during concurrent gestation-lactation periods.; During the pre-weaning phase, there were significant differences in body weight of kits at 3, 10, 21, 30 days of age. However, there were no differences in growth rates. Mortality rate was high for all the treatments.; During the post-weaning phase, there were significant differences in body weight of kits but growth rate was similar across all treatments. Mortality rate in the post-weaning stage was higher than in the pre-weaning period, exceeding 35%. Most of the mortality was associated with gastrointestinal disturbances, especially during the first week after weaning.; From these results, it is concluded that early-weaning (21 days) of kits is possible without affecting their growth rates. However, if this management practice is adopted, other practices, either nutritional or sanitary in nature, should be adopted as well in order to prevent the gastrointestinal disturbances and prevent the mortality rate at weaning. |
