Caractéristiques des consommations d'aliments solide et liquide chez la Lapine gestante puis allaitante nourrie

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Abstract
The number, length and circadian distribution of solid and liquid meals were recorded graphically in pregnant and lactating doe rabbits. Lots (2) of 4 and 7 white New Zealand doe rabbits were studied during 9 and 8 gestation-lactation cycles. In the 1st lot (controlled suckling) the young were separated from their dams and allowed to suck once a day. The amount of milk produced/rabbit was estimated every day by the weight loss of the doe during suckling. In the 2nd lot (free suckling) the does had free access to the nest. A precise description of the variation in the solid and liquid feed intake characteristics (number of meals, length, quantity) during pregnancy, lactation and for several consecutive gestation-lactation cycles was given. Beside the well known variation in feed intake and milk production during the 1st 3 wk of lactation, an almost total cessation of feed and water intake the day before parturition was observed. A predominantly nocturnal intake pattern in the pregnant doe, independent of the stage of gestation and a change in the circadian distribution of feed and water intake with the beginning of lactation also occurred. In controlled suckling does a biphasic intake pattern was observed. The maximal values were located after suckling and during the few hours following or preceding darkness. In free suckling does, both the diurnal and nocturnal intake patterns were more variable. The increase in feed intake observed in lactating does seemed mainly due to an increase in the frequency of solid meal intake and to a less extent to an increase in their size during late lactation. This increase was more variable and less obvious for the water intake pattern where the variation of the meal size played a more important part. Correlations between milk production and feed intake during the 24 h-cycle were large. The partial correlation coefficients between milk production and amount of feed consumed during the 2 h after suckling were very low. Restoring energy and water expenditure due to lactation apparently takes 24 h or more.