Abstract
Productive response of rabbits fed with fresh leaves of nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea, Lamiales:Acanthaceae). Rabbit production is a viable activity in Costa Rica. It offers consumers a high quality meat, and for farmers a good income with a relatively low investment. Production performance, including weight gain and dressing percentage of rabbits fed with two levels of fresh “nacedero” leaves (Trichanthera gigantea) were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a commercial farm, using 30 weanling animals (California breed) randomly distributed among three treatments (ten animals per treatment): T1: Control: 100% commercial extruded diet, T2: 85:15, 85% commercial extruded diet and 15% nacedero fresh leaves, T3: 70:30, 70% commercial extruded diet and 30% nacedero fresh leaves. Animals were individually weighed weekly for eight weeks, then slaughtered at 88 days of age and dressing percentage calculated. Significant differences (p<0,05) were found between animals from treatments 1 and 2 compared to treatment 3 according to Tukey test. Treatment 3 showed the lowest final weight (p=0,003), weight gain (p=0,008) and dressing percentage (p=0,002). Animals´ initial weights (included as a covariable) had an important effect in all parameter responses (p=0,02). Average initial weights were 441, 403 and 418 g; weight gain was 19, 19 and 17 g/animal/day and dressing percentage was 55, 54 and 51% for animals from treatments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Dry matter intake was significantly less in animals from treatments 2 and 3 compared to control (p<0,05). It is suggested that 15% of substitution of fresh nacedero foliage in diets for fattening rabbits did not affect productive performance; and improve the use of plants with high potential as forages in productive systems with small animal` species.
Highlights
MATERIALES Y MÉTODOSLa investigación se llevó a cabo en una granja comercial, ubicada en Bajo Matamoros de Alfaro, San Ramón de Alajuela
RESUMEN: La producción de carne de conejo es una alternativa viable en Costa Rica, ofreciendo al consumidor un producto de buena calidad, y a los productores posibilidad de aumentar sus ingresos
Productive response of rabbits fed with fresh leaves of nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea, Lamiales:Acanthaceae)
Summary
La investigación se llevó a cabo en una granja comercial, ubicada en Bajo Matamoros de Alfaro, San Ramón de Alajuela. Alimentación y tratamientos: La dieta base de los animales consistió de alimento balanceado comercial extrusado para conejos. Los animales se asignaron al azar a cada una de las tres dietas o tratamientos, a razón de diez individuos por cada uno, en un diseño completamente aleatorio. Durante ocho días previos al inicio de la prueba, se ofrecieron las diferentes dietas para que los animales se adaptaran y calcular el consumo de alimento. Se tomó una muestra tanto del alimento balanceado como del nacedero y se realizaron análisis químicos en el Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal (CINA) y el Centro de Investigaciones Agrícolas (CIA). Una vez a la semana, todos los animales se pesaron y se registró el de consumo de alimento; se utilizó una balanza TSCALE 25 kg (±1 g). Análisis estadístico: Para el análisis de la información se utilizó estadística descriptiva, análisis de covarianza
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
