Effects of Dietary Levels of Energy and Protein at the Finishing Stage. 1. Performance and Pelt Production of Rex Rabbits

Abstract

Uiilike meat-type rabbits [Flemish Giant, New Zealand White or Californian] which are slaughtered at 10 - 12 weeks old, Rex rabbit, a fine fur-producing rabbit, are harvested at 6 - 8 monthold. The nutrient requirement at the finisher stage and for fur production purpose may be different from those of starter stage or meat production purpose. Ninetysix Rex rabbits of 3,5 to 4 months old were used in a 3 x 4 factorial experiment to study the effect of levels of protein [14, 16 and 13%] and levels of digestible energy [DE - 2000, 2250, 2500 and 2750 kcal/kg] on the performance and fur production Rex rabbits. Each treatment combination consisted of 8 unsexed rabbits. Animal peiformance and fur production were observed.
Differences among treatment means of each parameter tested were analysed by LSD. In general, results indicated that there were no significant interaction
oeeured between levels of energy and protein on the parameters measured. Feed intake [Fl], dry matter digestibility [DMD], percentage of carcass [PC], edible mcat [PEM], fat [PF], bone [PB] and skin [PS], and weight [RPW] and area [RPA] of raw pelt were not significantly different among treatments. Higher dietary level of DE and protein, however significantly increased bodyweight gain [BWG] and feed efficiency [FCR], and dried weight [DPW] and area [DPA] of pelt. Ranges of values for the tested parameters were 104 - 121 g/rabbit/d for Fl, 12 - 16 g/rabbit/d for BWG, 6.9 - 9.7 for FCR, and 53 - 62% for DMD. Values for PC, PEM, PF, PB and
PS ranged from 51 to 54%, 67 to 71%, 3.7 to 6.4%, 23 to 29% and from 7.4 to 8.0, respectively. Pelt production, in tcnns of pelt weight and pelt area were 172 - 205 g/pelt and 1136 - 1223 cmz/pelt, respectively for raw pelts. Corresponding values for dried pelt were 89 - 110g and 1485 - 1728 cmz.