[The significance of the weaning age of young rabbits for the development of young animals and their food consumption].

The experiment reported compared the influence of weaning at 25, 28, 31 and 35 days of age on the development of liveweight and food consumption during the pre- and post-weaning period hybrid rabbits. Results of 44 does and 949 offspring showed that late weaning exerted a positive influence on live-weight development in comparison with already weaned kits of the same age. In all weaning age groups a depression in growth occurred shortly after weaning which was compensated thereafter. There was no significant difference between treatments with regard to total food consumption of does and offspring. This lack of difference was due to the high food intake of lactating does after weaning that surpassed maintenance requirements.