The feed-, energy- and water intake in dwarf rabbits under feeding conditions of companion pets in the field

1. Pelleted formulated diets are characterized by a moderate digestibility of the organic matter (VQ(oS) = 63 %) and a low energy density due to the h igher crude fiber content compared to mixed feeds based on native ingredien ts (partly added with high digestible products in a special produced form). 2. When dwarf rabbits are kept without bedding material the ad libitum feed ing of commercial feed mixtures for a long term led to adipositas. The ener gy oversupply results on one hand from a high feed intake (pelleted diet) a nd on the other hand from the high energy density of the feed (low crude fi ber-, but high crude fat content), which is forced by a selective ingesting behaviour. 3. The addition of hay or components for chewing or gnawing (gnawing wood o r limestone) is insufficient to reduce the energy oversupply without a rest ricted offer of concentrates. Under those conditions dry matter intake vari es between 2.5 (mixed feed + gnawing wood) and 3.2 % of body mass (mixed fe ed + limestone). 4. The offer of green fodder leads to the lowest fat content in body compos ition although in this group the feedstuff was offered ad libitum and the d warf rabbits ingested remarkable dry matter and energy (0.48 MJ DE) values. Due to the higher proportion of bacterial digestion in the hind gut, the c haracterization of energy intake in form of digestible energy (DE) leads pr obably to an overestimation (energy tosses caused by fermentation). 5. Green fodder led to the highest water intakes (5:1), whereas in the othe r groups relations of 2 ml water per 1 g dry matter intake were measured. 6. In a long term the formulation of a mixed feed is necessary, which is ch aracterized by a lower energy density due to a higher crude fiber content w ith a sufficient amount of rough and structured ingredients, that force dwa rf rabbits to a longer duration of feed intake, that means to a higher use (and attrition) of their teeth.