Evaluation of three forages as a source of fiber in fattening rabbit diets | Evaluation of three forages as a source of fiber in diets of fattening rabbits in Aguascalientes, Mexico

English. The objective was to evaluate three forages as a source of fiber in fattening rabbit diets. Mesquite pods, oats and alfalfa hay were used in mixed diets. Thirty-six 1-month-old weaned male rabbits were randomly distributed into three treatments (T1, oat diet; T2, mesquite pod diet; T3, alfalfa diet) for 50 days of fattening. Feed intake, daily weight gain, final gain and feed conversion ratio were recorded. At the end of the experiment, the animals were slaughtered to evaluate the carcass performance. Data were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance and comparison of means test. There were no significant differences in the growing period, but in fattening, T1 was higher than T2 and T3 (P<0.05) and the latter higher than T2 in daily weight gain, total weight gain and dry matter digestibility. Feed conversion ratio was the opposite, T1 and T3 were lower than T2. Carcass yield was higher in T1 than T2 and T3 and the latter, higher than T2. No differences were observed among treatments (P> 0.05) in feed intake. A higher digestibility and better productive parameters were obtained with the inclusion of oats and alfalfa hay in the diets, than using mesquite pods; however, the production costs were higher. The limitation of the study is the low level of preference of rabbit meat in Mexico. The mesquite pods represent a viable alternative due to their low cost and availability in semi-arid regions where there are no water resources for forage production. Key words: Productive parameters, oats, mesquite

Spanish; Castilian. Objective: To evaluate three forages as a source of fiber in the diets of fattening rabbits. Design/Methodology/Approach: Whole grain diets with forage oat, mesquite pod, and alfalfa were used. Thirty-six weaned male rabbits were randomly distributed into three treatments (T1, forage oat diet; T2, mesquite pod diet; T3, alfalfa diet). Feed consumption, daily weight gain, total weight gain, and feed conversion were recorded. The animals were slaughtered to evaluate carcass yield. The data were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. Results: T1 recorded greater fattening than both T2 and T3 (P<0.05) and the last treatment surpassed T2 in daily weight gain, total weight gain, and feed digestibility. Regarding feed conversion, T1 and T3 had lower results than T2. In carcass yield, T1 was higher than T2 and T3 —which, on its turn, surpassed T2. Finally, no differences were observed in feed consumption between treatments (P> 0.05). There were also no significant differences in growth. Study Limitations/Implications: Mexicans have a low consumption of rabbit meat. The mesquite pod could be a viable alternative due to its low cost and availability in semi-arid areas. Findings/Conclusions: Forage oat recorded the best productive parameters, followed by alfalfa and mesquite pod; however, the latter had a greater economic advantage.