Effect of a limited access to water on water consumption, feed intake and growth of fattening rabbits.

The aim of this trial was to study the effect of water restriction on feed intake for 336 rabbits from 32 to 62 days of age. Rabbits were housed in cages of 7 rabbits. There was 4 treatments (12 cages per treatment) which differed only by the time of access to water. In the control group, the rabbits were given water ad libitum, in the 3 other groups, the rabbits were given water during 1h30, 2h30 or 4h per day at the end of the light period (4 pm). Water consumption decreased respectively to 62%, 72% and 87% of the ad libitum level (201ml/day/rabbit). Feed intake decreased (P<0.0001) respectively to 78%, 83% and 87% of the ad libitum level (129g/day/rabbit). Thus, a limited access to drinking water allowed to reproduce feed restriction. From 62 to 69 days of age, all rabbits were given water ad libitum. At slaughter, only rabbits with limited access to water during 1h30 from 32 to 62 days were significantly lighter than the rabbits of the control group, the weight difference was of 135g (P=0.031).