Performance of broiler rabbit (Soviet Chinchilla x Grey Giant) fed low grain concentrate.

Abstract

Twenty one broiler rabbits, weaned at 5 weeks of age were divided into 3 groups of 7 each on the basis of body weight in a randomized block design and fed isonitrogenous concentrate mixture(s) containing either 60, 40 or 20% crushed maize grain in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively, alongwith ad libitum kikuyu (Pennisetum clandistínum) green grass. In group 2 and 3 replacement of crushed maize was largely done with wheat bran which is available abundantly at lower cost in India. The experiment was continued for 8 weeks; DM intake and body weight gain were recorded at daily and weekly interval respectively. Body weight gain (17.9 to 19.7 g/d), feed conversion efficiency (3.6 to 3.9), hot carcass weight (663 to 698 g), weight of internal organs (% of body wt.) and total dry matter intake (89.9 to 93.8 g/d) did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among 3 groups. However inclusion of high level of wheat bran (group 2 and 3) in the diet significantly (P<0.01) enhanced the digestibility of dry matter. Present study indicates that broiler rabbits can be reared satisfactorily on a low grain concentrate (containing only 20 parts of maize grain and up to 64 parts of wheat bran) supplemented with ad libitum green grass fodder.