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Fiber and Starch Levels in Fattening Rabbit Diets¹

E. T. S. Ingenieros Agrónomos² Universidad Politécnica de Madrid^,3, Spain

Abstract

Two assays were conducted to study the influence of diet composition in fattening rabbits. In the first trial, 180 New Zealand rabbits were fed six diets of different fiber level (12.6 to 32.7% acid detergent fiber, ADF). Minimal ADF, crude fiber (CF) or indigestible CF contents of 15.3, 11.7 and 9.8% were necessary to have a low diarrhea mortality rate; on the other hand, live weight gain decreased for ADF contents higher than 24.6%. Fiber content of the diet influenced (P<.001) its digestive utilization. Dry matter, organic matter and crude protein digestibility decreased 1.17, 1.32 and .64 units, respectively, per each 1% increment in the ADF content of diet. Crude fiber digestibility was higher (32.2 vs 17.5%) in the diet with the lowest fiber content. In a subsequent trial, 112 New Zealand rabbits were fed seven diets varying in their fiber (9.8 to 32.7% ADF) and starch (12.7 to 30%) contents in order to examine their effects on several digestive characteristics. Diet had a significant influence on the weights of the stomach and its content. Diets with CF lower than minimum to avoid digestive disorders were associated with an increase of the cecum contents (P<.001); on the other hand, a lower weight (P<.05) of soft feces in the stomach was found in the diet with the lowest fiber content. Both facts suggest a relationship between a high diarrhea incidence and a low rate of passage of digesta throughout the digestive tract. Considering the effect of fiber, the starch content showed no effect on any of the variables studied.

¹ Financial support was provided by the Comisión Asesora para la Investigación Científica y Técnica.

² Dept. de Nutr. Anim.

³ 28040 Madrid.

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