EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING PELLET-BASED DIETS ON GROWTH AND DENTAL WEAR IN FARM RABBITS (Oryctolagus cuniculus) IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Feeding in rabbit farming is a very important factor because, in addition to providing the nutrients necessary for the rabbits’ growth and health, it must also allow for dental wear. The main objective was to analyze the impact of four (4) diets on growth and dental structure in farmed rabbits. The study group consisted of 32 apparently healthy male rabbits aged 6–8 months, with weights ranging from 2.107 kg to 2.624 kg. Four (4) groups (pellets alone (CG), pellets + carrots (GC), pellets + hay (GFA), and pellets + carrots + hay (CO)) of 32 rabbits were formed. Each group received a specific type of diet. Analysis of variations in the animals’ body weights according to the different types of diets showed a significant effect based on Tukey’s test (p = 0.02, p < 0.05). It was noted that the GC group had the highest weight gain (0.42 ± 0.08 kg) compared to the other diets. Analysis of variance and post hoc tests identified major differences highlighting the influence of diet types on dental wear. Thus, the GFA group exhibited the most severe mandibular wear (4 ± 1.43) cm. This study demonstrated the impact of diet type on growth and dental wear in farmed rabbits, using four different diets. Hay emerged as the diet causing the greatest mechanical wear, whereas the maxilla showed a continuous tendency toward growth.