Digestibility of nutrients of full-fledged compound feed by rabbits in the first quarter of pregnancy

Abstract

Basis of the organization of feeding of farm animals is the rationing of nutrients and energy. The latest rabbit feeding standards were reissued unchanged from the 80s of the last century in 2007. To develop new effective feeding standards, there is an urgent need to study the digestibility of nutrients and energy of full-fledged compound feed by pregnant rabbits. The balance experiment on rabbits of the Soviet Chinchilla breed in the first quarter of its pregnancy was carried out in the vivarium and the department of animal husbandry and rabbit breeding of the Scientific Research Institute of Fur Farming and Rabbit Breeding according to the generally accepted method with authors’ modifications. Two (control and experimental) groups of 6 heads each were formed from twelve 9-month-old rabbits. Rabbits received a full-fledged granular compound feed of the same energy value, but with a different ratio of nutrients. As a result of the balance experiment, it was found that the feed consumption in the control and experimental groups was at the same level. The coefficients of digestibility of dry, organic matter, soluble carbohydrates and gross energy are significantly higher in the experimental group. The coefficients of protein and fat digestibility are approximately at the same level in both groups, which indicates their stability and independence from the content in the feed. The lower coefficient of digestibility of mineral substances (ash) in the experimental group is obviously explained by the fact that there is no vitamin-mineral premix in it. And the digestibility of fiber probably depends on its content in the feed, the more fiber, the higher its digestibility coefficient. From the point of view of satisfying the physiological need for nutrients and energy, as well as considerations of economy, the diet of the experimental group is more optimal for rabbits in the first quarter of their life.