Effect of graded level of fat supplementation on the growth performance in the rabbits

Abstract

Fifty Soviet Chinchilla kits (28 d old) were fed diets supplemented with 0,2,4,6 and 8 % palmolein oil up to 84th day of age. Live weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased linearly and significantly (P<0.05) with fat supplementation. Highest body weight and best feed conversion ratio was recorded (2287 g and 2.98) with 8 % fat supplementation. Per cent increases in daily gain and FCR were 4.04 and 0.98 with each per cent addition of palmolein oil. Significant (P<0.05) improvement was observed for digestibility of crude protein, ether extract whereas the digestibility of crude fibre decreased with fat supplementation. Carcass composition of rabbit revealed no change with palmolein oil supplementation. Cost: benefit ratio was highest (0.33) with 2 % fat supplementation