Abstract

MARTINEZ YANEZ, Rosario; SANTOS RICALDE, Ronald; RAMIREZ AVILES, Luis  and  SARMIENTO FRANCO, Luis. Utilization of Ramon (Brosimum alicastrum Sw.) and Cayena (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) to fed rabbits. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.2, pp.153-162. ISSN 0798-7269.

A series of experiments were carried out to evaluate the digestibility and productive performance of rabbits fed forages of Cayena (C) and Ramon (R). Experiment 1. Digestibilty of DM, CP, GE and fibre of C and R were measured. It was observed in general a higher digestibility of nutrients in C than in R (P<0,05). The digestible energy value of C and R were 2.875 y 2.291 kcal/kg, respectively. Experiment 2. A control diet (concentrate), and two diets based on concentrate and fresh forage of R or C ad libitum were evaluated. A higher DM intake was observed in the rabbits fed the control diet (P<0,05). However, the daily gain was similar between treatments (P>0,05). Experiment 3. A concentrate diet (control), restriction of concentrate to 2,5 % of body weight, plus fresh forage of R or C and free access to concentrate plus fresh forage of R or C was evaluated. A higher forage intake was observed in the rabbits fed restriction of concentrate compare to concentrate ad lib (47,7 y 53,5 g/day vs 27,5 y 31,5 g/day for cayena and ramon respectively). The rabbits fed with restriction of concentrate had lower daily weight gain (P<0,05). The rabbits in the control diet and the rabbits fed with free access to the concentrate had similar daily weight gain (P>0,05). The results obtained suggest that ramon and cayena have a good nutritional value for rabbits.

Keywords : Rabbits; cayena; ramon; Intake; nutritive value; weight gain.

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