Abstract
ABSTRACTRabbits, bred under large-scale farming conditions, are fed pelleted complete feed containing extracted soybean meal (SBM), which is the protein source. In recent years, in certain areas of the world, a trend has emerged for the elimination of soybean meal from feed rations. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the substitution of extracted SBM with a mixture of extracted rapeseed meal (RSM; 5–10%), white lupin (WL) grain (4–8%), and pea grain (3–6%) on production results, as well as nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in Popielno White rabbits. The ration for the control group (C) contained 15% extracted SBM, while the ration for the experimental group (E1) contained 7.5% extracted SBM, which was partially substituted with a mixture of extracted RSM, and WL and pea grains. In the experimental group (E2) diet, soybean meal was completely substituted. The obtained results indicated that the partial or complete substitution of extracted SBM with extracted RSM, pea, and WL did not have a negative effect on production results, digestibility of nutrients, and nitrogen retention.
Highlights
In Poland, only one native rabbit breed is found, namely, the Popielno White (PW). It is recommended for extensive household breeding, and for intensive production systems (Kowalska & Bielański 2011). These rabbits are characterized by gains being slightly smaller than those of typical meat breeds, yet they are more resistant to adverse environmental conditions (Bielański et al 2008)
Sixty rabbits (30 females and 30 males) of the PW breed were used in the experiment; they were divided into 3 groups being analogous in terms of origin, proportion of gender, and body weight (BW)
Chemical analyses The nutrient content of feed mixtures, nutrient excretion in faeces, and urinary nitrogen were determined by standard methods (AOAC 2006)
Summary
Local breeds with a lower growth rate are used less frequently (AbdelGhany et al 2000; Bielański et al 2008; Lakabi-Ioualitene et al 2008; Kowalska & Bielański 2011; Lounaouci-Ouyed et al 2014; Paci et al 2014) These breeds are most often used in experiments on the extensive breeding and feeding systems. In Poland, only one native rabbit breed is found, namely, the Popielno White (PW) It is recommended for extensive household breeding, and for intensive production systems (Kowalska & Bielański 2011). These rabbits are characterized by gains being slightly smaller than those of typical meat breeds, yet they are more resistant to adverse environmental conditions (Bielański et al 2008)
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