The objective was to evaluate the effect of temporary mother-litter separation on the reproductive performance of lactating does and growth performance of their litters up to 70 days of age. A total of 415 presentations of 157 lactating does assigned to two groups: control, with free nest access, and treated, whose nest access was closed during the 39 hours that preceded mating, were analyzed. From the 415 presentations, 387 resulted in matings and 264 in parturitions. Does of the treated group, from fifth and further lactations, had sexual receptivity and parturition rate, respectively, 6.7% and 10.8% higher than those females of the control group. No treatment by lactation order interaction, or treatment effects, were detected on number weaned and number of young per litter at 70 days. In litters of primiparous does, mortality rate from separation up to 70 days of age was higher in the treated group (0.248±0.047 vs. 0.120±0.047). Litter weaning weight was lower in the treated group compared to the control group (5,753±93 g vs. 6,222±89 g), for all lactation orders, but no differences were detected in total and average 70-d weights between groups. Treatment also reduced individual weaning weight (912.4±4.9 g vs. 962.7±4.5 g) for all lactation orders, but increased postweaning average daily gain (32.25±0.19 g/d vs. 31.44±0.17 g/d), favoring the occurrence of a compensatory weight gain in this period. Temporary mother-litter separation may be recommended to improve reproductive performance of lactating multiparous does, but should be avoided for primiparous due to the increased mortality rate of their litters.
bioestimulation; litter performance; parturition rate; rabbits; reproductive management; sexual receptivity
