FEEDING OF LOCAL POPULATION RABBITS : EFFECT OF STRAW ADDITION TO LOW FIBER PELLETED DIETS, ON DIGESTIBILITY, GROWTH PERFORMANCE ANO SLAUGHTER YIELD
Abstract
Two groups of 26 weaned rabbits from the local population were fed during 8 weeks eitber a balanced pelleted diet (A), either a commercial pelleted diet with low fibre level (diet B : 4. 71% crude fibre) plus free access to straw. In each group, 14 rabbits were placed in individual cages and the 12 others in collective cages of 3 rabbits. In addition, the diet's digestibility was controlled with 6 rabbits, 8 weeks old. Digestibility of diet 8 was the highest for dry matter (76.6 vs 69.5%) and energy (77.1 vs 69.6%). The feeding type had no significant effect on daily growth (22.4 g/d on average) or on daily feed intake (A: 79 g/d ; 8: 74 g of pellets + 11 g of straw/day). The pellet's feed conversion ratios were identical for the 2 diets (3.49) but if the straw intake is included, the total feed intake 1 unit of weight gain is significantly higher (4.05). The final weight was slightly but not significantly higher for A rabbits (1745 g) than for B ones (1658 g). The slaughter yield (hot carcasses) was slightly higher (P<0.10) for A rabbits (65.2%) than for B rabbits (64.0%).
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Life Sciences [q-bio]Origin | Publisher files allowed on an open archive |
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