Controlled lactation in intensive rabbit breeding

32 multiparous New Zealand Whites were used over a 6-month period. 23 experimental litters were allowed access to the dam for 15 min daily during the first 10 days post partum, whereas 15 control litters had constant access. Litter weight at 2, 10 and 30 days of age did not differ significantly between groups. Mortality was lower in the experimental group (1.55, 11.01 and 13.22% by days 2, 10 and 30 resp. vs. 6.99, 16.46 and 18.67% in controls), but the differences were not significant.