CAECAL MICROFLORA AND FERMENTATION IN RABBITS

One-day-old Pannon White rabbits of average birth weight were distributed into litters of eight, and these litters were randomly divided into three groups (21-22 litters/group) according to the weaning age: 21 (G21), 28 (G28) and 35 (G35) days. Milk consumption, feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. On day 14, 22, 29, 36 and 42 subsequent to birth 6 healthy animals from each group were examined for some digestive physiological parameters: pH and volatile fatty acid content (VFA) of the caecal content, and composition of the caecal microflora. There was no significant difference between groups in body weight till the 28th day of age. At day 35 and 42 d, G35 rabbits had a significantly higher body weight compared to rabbits of the other two groups. Milk consumption increased from day 21 to day 28. Thereafter G35 rabbits had lower milk consumption, presumably due to the decrease in the mothers milk production and the increase in the solid feed consumption. There was a sudden increase in the solid feed consumption after weaning. In group G35 the feed intake was higher already on day 28, related to the decreasing milk production of the doe. Anaerobic bacteria growing on the Schaedler agar were in a high amount (108/g) already on the 14th day of age. On day 42 their number was significantly higher in G35 and G28 than in G21 rabbits. Counts of coliforms an