Effect of dietary soluble fibre level and protein source on growth, digestion, caecal activity and health of fattening rabbits

Angela Trocino; M. Fragkiadakis; G. Radaelli; Gerolamo Xiccato

doi:10.4995/wrs.2010.779

Authors

Angela Trocino University of Padova
M. Fragkiadakis University of Padova
G. Radaelli University of Padova
Gerolamo Xiccato University of Padova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2010.779

Keywords:

soluble fibre, soybean meal, sunflower meal, health, growth performance, caecal fermentation

Abstract

From weaning (34 d of age) until slaughter (76 d), 216 hybrid rabbits were divided into six experimental groups and fed ad libitum six iso-protein (CP: 15.9% as-fed), iso-starch (9.1%) and iso-ADF (21.4%) diets formulated in a bi-factorial arrangement, with three soluble fibre levels (LS: 5.8% vs. MS: 7.4% vs. HS: 8.5%) and two protein sources (Soy: soybean meal vs. Sun: sunflower meal). The increase in dietary soluble fibre level linearly increased (PL<0.001) in vivo digestibility of dry matter (from 55.4 to 61.3%), gross energy and fibre fractions (from 14.8 to 25.7% for acid detergent fibre; from 40.3 to 49.2% for insoluble hemicelluloses; from 85.0 to 93.9% for soluble fibre). Replacing soybean with sunflower meal tended to decrease crude protein digestibility (73.1 vs. 72.6%, P=0.058) and reduced acid detergent fibre digestibility (22.0 vs. 18.4%, P<0.001), while improving ether extract digestibility (69.3 vs. 70.8, P<0.001). The nutritive values of the experimental diets increased with soluble fibre level (digestible energy from 9.0 to 9.9 MJ/kg) regardless of the protein source. Intestinal mucosa traits at 56 d of age were not affected, while caecal pH linearly decreased (from 6.19 to 5.97; PL=0.017) with increasing dietary soluble fibre. During the trial, health problems were moderate (mortality 3.4% and morbidity 15.6%) and not affected by feeding treatments. With increasing soluble fibre level, rabbit daily weight gain and final live weight linearly increased (PL=0.045) and feed conversion improved (from 3.55 to 3.30, PL<0.001). Protein source did not affect intestinal traits or growth performance. Slaughter results and meat quality were unaffected by feeding treatments.

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Author Biographies

Angela Trocino, University of Padova

Department of Animal Science

M. Fragkiadakis, University of Padova

Department of Animal Science

G. Radaelli, University of Padova

Department of Experimental Veterinary Sciences

Gerolamo Xiccato, University of Padova

Department of Animal Science

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