Nutrient requirements of growing Angora rabbits

Angora rabbit kits (25), 40-day-old were equally distributed on almost equa l average body weight basis into 5 groups and allotted to 5 test diet treat ments with 5 kits in each treatment and fed up to 140 days of age. Out of 5 rest diets fed for 100 days, D-2 test diet CP- 17.25%, lysine (0.69%, thre onine-0.63%, methionine + cystine-0.69% and DE-2875 Kcals/kg) showed the be st growth performance by showing significantly highest (P<0.05) lives weigh t gain coupled with efficient feed conversion ratio, zero kit mortality; hi ghest wood production per kg body weight, highest pure fibre percentage ana also highest digestibility of various nutrients, However, D-5 test diet (C P-10.50% lysine-0.42%, threonine-0.39%, methionine + cystine-0.39% and DE-1 750 Kcal/kg) showed 100% mortality within 2 fortnights of feeding trial bec ause of chronically inadequate supply of critical nutrients to meet the bar e minimum maintenance needs of growing kits, This study has shown that the growing Angora kits need 17.25% CP, 0.63% lysine, 0.63% threonine, 0.69% su lphur containing amino acids and 2875 Kcals/kg of digestible energy for opt imum growth during summer under mid hills conditions of Himachal Pradesh.