THE EFFECT OF FEED MIXTURE ON PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY ANDMEAT QUALITY IN NEW-ZEALAND WHITE X CALIFORNIAN RABBITS

Performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality were compared in broiler rabbits receiving four different feed mixtures. The formulatio n of feed mixtures is shown in Table I. Two trials were conducted: an operation one on 208 rabbits and a metabolic one on 20 rabbits. The ra bbits came from the same breeding, the trials were carried out under i dentical conditions. The significantly highest live weight gain in the first stage of feeding (39th-64th day of age) was observed in the gro up receiving a feed with the higher fat content (by 3.4%), Tab. II. In fant rabbits of this group had the significantly lowest feed consumpti on in this stage. The best results in the second stage of feeding (fro m the 87th day of age) were recorded in feed mixture with the higher c ontent of fiber (18.5%). This mixture contained 15% of sugar beet pulp and the utilization of its fiber was best (Tab. VII). No significant differences in carcass characteristics and meat quality were determine d between the feed mixtures, except fat content and energy value of th igh muscles (Tabs. IV and V). Fat and energy contents were highest in rabbits receiving feed mixtures with the higher fat content. Our evalu ation of rabbit performance in relation to nutrient content shows that requirements for nutrients are different in rabbits of different age. Infant rabbits achieved better results at the beginning of feeding wh en they received the higher dietary fat content in feed with balanced content of crude protein and fiber. Feeding of sugar beet pulp positiv ely influenced digestibility of nutrients, mainly of fiber.