Digestibilidade da polpa cítrica desidratada e efeito de sua inclusão na dieta sobre o desempenho de coelhos em crescimento - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i1.12359

Several experiments were conducted to determine the digestibility of dehydrated citrus pulp (DCP) and evaluate its effect on rabbit feed. Digestibility assay comprised 30 rabbits fed on two diets: a reference diet and a diet in which 20% consisted of DCP. The digestibility assay comprised 10 days for adaptation and four days for feces collection. The digestibility coefficient and digestible nutrient rates for DM, CP, NDF, ADF, and CE of DCP were respectively 83.75 and 76.04%; 70.12 and 5.03%; 40.14 and 9.52%; 68.98 and 15.09%; and 81.48% and 3394 kcalDE kg-1 DM. Performance assay consisted of 120 growing rabbits receiving diets with six DCP levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) to replace corn. Linear decrease (p 0.05) any performance characteristic when compared to that in control. Results show that DCP in the rabbit’s diet may replace up to 20% of corn.  Conduziram-se experimentos para determinar a digestibilidade da polpa cítrica desidratada (PCD) e avaliá-la na alimentação de coelhos. Para o ensaio de digestibilidade utilizaram-se 30 coelhos recebendo duas dietas: uma referência e outra com substituição de 20% da primeira por PCD. O ensaio teve duração de dez dias para adaptação mais quatro para coleta de fezes. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade e os nutrientes digestíveis para MS, PB, FDN, FDA e EB da PCD foram respectivamente: 83,75 e 76,04%; 70,12 e 5,03%; 40,14 e 9,52%; 68,98 e 15,09%; e 81,48% e 3394 kcalED kg-1 MS. Para o desempenho utilizaram-se 120 coelhos recebendo dietas com diferentes níveis de PCD (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100%) substituindo o milho. Observou-se redução linear (p 0,05) nenhuma característica de desempenho quando comparada à dieta controle. Conclui-se: a PCD pode substituir o milho até 20% nas dietas de coelhos.

Efeito de dietas semi-simplificadas formuladas com subprodutos de mandioca ensilados ou não sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de coelhos = Effect of half-simplified diets formulated with cassava by-product ensiled or not on performance and carcass characteristics of rabbits

Foram avaliados o desempenho da desmama ao abate e as características de carcaça de 144 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Branco, oriundos de matrizes alimentadas com dietas referência ou semi-simplificada com 79,83% de subprodutos de mandioca, distribuídos em gaiolas, em esquema fatorial 2 x 3 (duas rações fornecidas às matrizes e láparos até a desmama versus três rações fornecidas aos animais da desmama até o abate) com 12 repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. As dietas fornecidas, após a desmama, consistiram de umareferência e duas semi-simplificadas com 81,63% de subprodutos de mandioca ensilados ou não antes da sua incorporação. Coelhos cujas mães foram alimentadas com dieta semi-simplificadas se apresentaram mais leves à desmama que os desmamados com dieta-referência. Observou-se menor consumo de ração para os coelhos que receberam a dieta maternidade semi-simplificada até a desmama, resultando em melhor conversão alimentar. Os pesos da carcaça e dos cortes comerciais foram maiores nos animais alimentados com as rações referência maternidade e referência crescimento. O uso de dietas semi-simplificadas com subprodutos de mandioca ensilados ou não, da desmama ao abate, reduziu o ganho de peso diário e o consumo de ração,porém melhorou a conversão alimentar e diminuiu o custo de ração. A utilização das rações semi-simplificadas apresenta-se como alternativa interessante para a produção de coelhos.<br><br>This study evaluated the performance from weaning to slaughter and carcass characteristics of 144 New Zealand White rabbits, from does fed with a reference diet or half-simplified diet containing 79.83% cassava by-product, allocated in iron cages, in a 2 x 3 factorialarrangement (two diets used for does and litters until weaning versus three diets supplied for animals from weaning to slaughter) with 12 replications and two animals per experimental unit. The supplied diets after weaning consisted of one reference and two half-simplified diets with 81.63% cassava by-product ensiled or not before its incorporation. Rabbits from mothers fed with the half-simplified diet gained less weight at weaning than rabbits fed with reference diet. Lower feed intake was observed for rabbits that received the maternity half-simplified diet until weaning, resulting in a better feed:gain ratio. The weight of carcass and commercial cuts were higher for animals fed with both reference diets: maternity and growth diets. The use of half-simplified diets with cassava by-product ensiled or not, from weaning to slaughter, reduced daily weight gain and feed intake; however, it improved the feed:gain ratio and decreased ration feed cost. The use of halfsimplified diets represents an interesting alternative in rabbit production

Efeito de dietas semi-simplificadas formuladas com subprodutos de mandioca ensilados ou não sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de coelhos - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v33i1.9643

This study evaluated the performance from weaning to slaughter and carcass characteristics of 144 New Zealand White rabbits, from does fed with a reference diet or half-simplified diet containing 79.83% cassava by-product, allocated in iron cages, in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement (two diets used for does and litters until weaning versus three diets supplied for animals from weaning to slaughter) with 12 replications and two animals per experimental unit. The supplied diets after weaning consisted of one reference and two half-simplified diets with 81.63% cassava by-product ensiled or not before its incorporation. Rabbits from mothers fed with the half-simplified diet gained less weight at weaning than rabbits fed with reference diet. Lower feed intake was observed for rabbits that received the maternity half-simplified diet until weaning, resulting in a better feed:gain ratio. The weight of carcass and commercial cuts were higher for animals fed with both reference diets: maternity and growth diets. The use of half-simplified diets with cassava by-product ensiled or not, from weaning to slaughter, reduced daily weight gain and feed intake; however, it improved the feed:gain ratio and decreased ration feed cost. The use of half-simplified diets represents an interesting alternative in rabbit production.Foram avaliados o desempenho da desmama ao abate e as características de carcaça de 144 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Branco, oriundos de matrizes alimentadas com dietas referência ou semi-simplificada com 79,83% de subprodutos de mandioca, distribuídos em gaiolas, em esquema fatorial 2 x 3 (duas rações fornecidas às matrizes e láparos até a desmama versus três rações fornecidas aos animais da desmama até o abate) com 12 repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. As dietas fornecidas, após a desmama, consistiram de uma referência e duas semi-simplificadas com 81,63% de subprodutos de mandioca ensilados ou não antes da sua incorporação. Coelhos cujas mães foram alimentadas com dieta semi-simplificadas se apresentaram mais leves à desmama que os desmamados com dieta-referência. Observou-se menor consumo de ração para os coelhos que receberam a dieta maternidade semi-simplificada até a desmama, resultando em melhor conversão alimentar. Os pesos da carcaça e dos cortes comerciais foram maiores nos animais alimentados com as rações referência maternidade e referência crescimento. O uso de dietas semi-simplificadas com subprodutos de mandioca ensilados ou não, da desmama ao abate, reduziu o ganho de peso diário e o consumo de ração, porém melhorou a conversão alimentar e diminuiu o custo de ração. A utilização das rações semi-simplificadas apresenta-se como alternativa interessante para a produção de coelhos

Levels of lysine and methionine+cystine for growing New Zealand White rabbits

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate, respectively, nitrogen balance (NB) and the productive performance of 31-to-50-day-old rabbits subjected to different levels of lysine and methionine+cystine (met+cys). Seventy-five animals were randomly distributed in 5 × 3 blocks (five levels of lysine: 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 g/kg combined with three levels of met+cys: 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 g/kg), with 15 treatments and five replications for the NB assay. The assay lasted 14 days: 10 days for acclimatization and four days for feces and urine collection. Increasing met+cys levels had a quadratic effect on the nitrogen excreted in urine (NU): the lowest excretion was found at the dietary level of 5.9 g/kg met+cys. Increasing lysine levels also affected NU and nitrogen retained daily (NR): the lowest NU was obtained at the dietary level of 7.28 g/kg lysine, and maximum NR was found at 7.24 g/kg lysine. Increases in met+cys levels in the diets affected neither performance nor carcass characteristics of rabbits up to 50 days of age. On the other hand, body weight at 50 days, daily weight gain and feed conversion of rabbits slaughtered at 50 days had a quadratic effect as the lysine levels increased. The best results were found at 7.5, 7.38 and 7.36 g/kg lysine. Lysine and met+cys levels of 7.4 and 5.0 g/kg in the diet are recommended for 31-to-50-day-old rabbits

Evaluation of the reproductive performance of rabbits does fed a half-simplified diet based on cassava byproducts

A total of 70 five-month-old female New Zealand White rabbits were assigned in a completely randomized design, over three reproductive cycles, with two treatments: a reference diet and a half-simplified diet containing 79.83% cassava byproduct. The study evaluated body weight and feed intake of does, feed cost, number and total body weight of kits at kindling and weaning per female during three cycles, number and percentage of mortality/female/cycle, and weight gain of kits from birth to weaning. No interaction was observed between the diets and among the reproductive cycles for any evaluated characteristics. The body weight of does at the moment of weaning was similar in both groups for all three reproductive cycles. However, does fed the half-simplified diet had lower feed intake during the three reproductive cycles and, consequently, more reproductive flaws. The number of kits at weaning, body weight of kits at kindling and weaning, weight gain of kits from birth to weaning, and total body weight of kits at weaning were lower for the group of does fed the half-simplified diet and, consequently, there was a higher number and percentage of dead kits in this group. The total numbers of kits at kindling and weaning and total body weight of kits at birth during all three reproductive cycles were similar between the groups; however, total body weight of weaning rabbits was higher for the animals receiving the reference diet. It is possible to conclude that although the use of the half-simplified diet decreases the reproductive performance of does, it reduces feed cost per kg of body weight by 23.63% compared with the reference diet, proving to be a viable nutritional option for rabbit production

Evaluation of milled pearl millet in the feeding of growing rabbits

Two experiments were carried out in order to estimate the nutritional value and the performance of growing rabbits fed different levels of pearl millet (ADR 7010). In the digestibility trial, nutritional values of pearl millet were determined in 22 45-day-old New Zealand White rabbits, allotted in a completely randomized design, subjected to two treatments - a reference diet and a test diet with 70% of its volume composed of reference diet and 30% of pearl millet - and 11 replications. The apparent digestibility values of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and gross energy of the pearl millet were 88.7, 85.4, 24.4 and 75.0%, respectively. In the performance trial, 120 32-day-old New Zealand White rabbits were used. Rabbits were allotted in a completely randomized design and subjected to six treatments, with 10 replications and two animals for each experimental unit. The diets were formulated with increasing levels of pearl millet (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%), substituting the corn in the reference diet, according to the digestible energy. No differences were observed in daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion, carcass traits and feed cost per kilogram of rabbit. Regardless of the amount of corn substituted, pearl can replace corn in diets for growing rabbits