Abstract
Growth performance and digestion in the rabbit could be affected by the source of starch because of gradual changes in intestinal enzymic activity and cecal fermentation. Four starch-rich diets differing mainly in starch origin (purified maize starch (PMS), maize, barley or pea) were compared using groups of ten rabbits between weaning (25 days) and slaughter (75 days). Whole-tract digestibility of major nutrients was assessed at three physiological stages: P1 (28–33 days), P2 (49–54 days) and P3 (70–75 days). Daily feed intake and daily weight gain differed between diets mainly in P1, being respectively: PMS, 29.0 g and 25.8 g; maize, 42.4 g and 36.5 g; barley, 52.4 g and 39.4 g; pea, 50.0 g and 41.0 g. Except in the case of starch, the digestibility of nutrients decreased with age mainly between P1 and P2 (e.g. −9% for organic matter). Fecal losses were detected at weaning for maize (5.4%) and pea (2.2%) diets. Starch from barley and purified maize was completely degraded regardless of the period. Higher neutral detergent fiber digestibility, observed when starch was provided by maize, resulted mainly from a better degradation of the hemicellulosic fraction (53% in P1). High dietary inclusion of peas (60%) was well accepted by rabbits even at weaning.
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