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The performance and health of does and growing rabbits were compared over three consecutive reproductive cycles for three groups of 20 nulliparous does and their litters (DS0, DS13, DS26) fed isonutritive feeds containing 0, 13 or 26% dehydrated sainfoin (DS, Perly cultivar). Feed intake, live weight and fertility of does were not affected by DS feed incorporation. The number of live kits at birth increased linearly with increasing DS incorporation (+1.5 from DS0 to DS26, P=0.042) and the stillborn rate tended to linearly decrease in groups fed DS (16.6 vs. 10.4%, P=0.086). Increasing the level of DS in feeds had no impact on the growth of the kits before weaning, but led to a linear reduction in the post-weaning growth rate (P

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with black cumin seed meal on growth performance parameters, coccidia oocyst counts, plasma biochemical parameters and cecal fermentation processes in growing rabbits. A total of 40 male Californian rabbits at 35 days of age were divided into two feeding groups: Control (complete rabbit diet) and Black cumin (2% of the complete diet was replaced with black cumin seed meal). Dietary supplementation with black cumin did not affect growth performance parameters, but it reduced coccidia oocyst counts in the feces of 63-day-old rabbits. Increased liver weight and elevated plasma albumin levels were noted in these rabbits. A significant decrease in small intestinal digesta viscosity was also observed in rabbits fed a diet supplemented with black cumin seed meal. The above change suppressed the formation of putrefactive compounds, i.e. ammonia and branched short-chain fatty acids (SCFA s) in the cecum, but it did not decrease the production of major SCFA s, i.e. acetic, propionic and butyric acids. The current study demonstrated that the dietary addition of 2% black cumin seed meal exerted a modulatory effect on gastrointestinal function, but it did not compromise microbial enzyme activity or SCFA production in the cecum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance and health of does and growing rabbits were compared over three consecutive reproductive cycles for three groups of 20 nulliparous does and their litters (DS0, DS13, DS26) fed isonutritive feeds containing 0, 13 or 26% dehydrated sainfoin (DS, Perly cultivar). Feed intake, live weight and fertility of does were not affected by DS feed incorporation. The number of live kits at birth increased linearly with increasing DS incorporation (+1.5 from DS0 to DS26, P=0.042) and the stillborn rate tended to linearly decrease in groups fed DS (16.6 vs. 10.4%, P=0.086). Increasing the level of DS in feeds had no impact on the growth of the kits before weaning, but led to a linear reduction in the post-weaning growth rate (P<0.01, –2 for 26% DS), whereas the feed conversion ratio increased linearly with DS incorporation (P<0.01, 2.91 vs. 2.98, resp. for DS0 and DS26). No effect of DS feed incorporation was detectable on doe and kit mortality rates. Excretion of coccidia by both does and growing rabbits was not affected by DS incorporation. For 70 d old rabbits, the levels of immunoglobulins A and G and of white blood cells were not significantly different between groups and high levels of IgG (average: 8.1 mg/mL) were recorded, suggesting a coccidia infestation. Overall doe mortality remained under 5% and was not affected by the reproductive cycle (P=0.24). The stillborn rate decreased from 18 to 6%, (P<0.01) from cycle 1 to 2, and the number of live rabbits at birth increased from 8.0 to 10.7 (P<0.01). Kit mortality remained low before weaning (under 2.5%), and very low after weaning (<1%). Excretion of coccidia by does decreased from cycle 1 to cycle 3, whereas excretions by growing rabbits remained stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding rabbits with silkworm pupae and mealworm larvae meals on their performance indicators. Ninety (90) rabbits were divided into three groups. Control group (C) was fed with 10% soybean meal (SBM), SPM group received the diet including 5 % SBM and 4 % of silkworm pupae meal, and MLM group received the diet including 5 % SBM and 4 % of mealworm larvae meal. The body weight of rabbits and average daily gains were determined. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. At the end of fattening period, the animals were euthanized, skinned and eviscerated to determine their carcasses characteristic. Hind leg and loin muscles were collected for analyses of the chemical composition. At the end of fattening period, rabbits from groups SPM and MLM were heavier than C rabbits (2,606.5 and 2,584.8 vs 2,404.0 g), which also improved their overall carcass characteristic while FCR was similar between groups. However, feeding rabbits with the addition of insect's meals increased the amount of ether extract in their muscles. Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that SBM may be partially replaced by silkworm pupae and mealworm larvae meals in rabbit diets.

Quality of rabbit"s carcasses is largely determined by the composition of the lipid fraction. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of partial or complete substitution of soybean meal with a combination of rapeseed meal, white lupin seed and pea seed on the production results and fatty acid profile of meat and fat in rabbits. Ninety New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three feeding groups, 30 in each group: Control - C (mean protein source - 15% soybean meal in the diet), Experimental 1 - E1 (7.5% soybean meal, 5% rapeseed meal, 4% white lupin seed, 3% pea seed) and Experimental 2 - E2 (0% soybean meal, 10% rapeseed meal, 8% white lupin seed, 6% pea seed). No significant differences were determined in the final body weights of rabbits. Feed efficiency was better in both of the E groups than in group C. Dressing percentage was higher in group E2 than in group C. Also, protein content in thigh muscle was higher in groups E than in group C. As the dietary proportion of soybean decreased, the proportion of SFA in meat and in perirenal fat decreased, and that of PUFA increased. The obtained results indicate that soybean meal may be successfully replaced in rabbit diets by the combination of rapeseed meal, white lupin seed, and pea seed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of pet rabbit feeds available on the market with respect to nutritional guidelines and to determine whether the manufacturer's guaranteed analysis differed from the measured analysis. Samples of 5 different rabbit feeds were collected from sealed bags, three per each type of feed. The samples were then ground into a powder using a laboratory mill. Guidelines from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were used to assess the basic chemical composition of the samples. Four out of 5 feeds did not meet the minimum recommended level for crude fiber and analysis results for this nutrient were up to 67% lower than what was declared on the label. One feed did not meet the established minimum recommended level for crude proteins. In any of the feeds tested the nutrient levels matched the manufacturers guaranteed analysis. In four feeds, the deviations were outside the range of tolerance permitted by law. Results indicate that in the analyzed feeds there is considerable non-compliance with current EU guidelines for pet rabbit food and divergence from the manufacturers' guaranteed analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding rabbits with silkworm pupae and mealworm larvae meals on their performance indicators. Ninety (90) rabbits were divided into three groups. Control group (C) was fed with 10% soybean meal (SBM), SPM group received the diet including 5 % SBM and 4 % of silkworm pupae meal, and MLM group received the diet including 5 % SBM and 4 % of mealworm larvae meal. The body weight of rabbits and average daily gains were determined. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. At the end of fattening period, the animals were euthanized, skinned and eviscerated to determine their carcasses characteristic. Hind leg and loin muscles were collected for analyses of the chemical composition. At the end of fattening period, rabbits from groups SPM and MLM were heavier than C rabbits (2,606.5 and 2,584.8 vs 2,404.0 g), which also improved their overall carcass characteristic while FCR was similar between groups. However, feeding rabbits with the addition of insect's meals increased the amount of ether extract in their muscles. Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that SBM may be partially replaced by silkworm pupae and mealworm larvae meals in rabbit diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of rabbit's carcasses is largely determined by the composition of the lipid fraction. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of partial or complete substitution of soybean meal with a combination of rapeseed meal, white lupin seed and pea seed on the production results and fatty acid profile of meat and fat in rabbits. Ninety New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three feeding groups, 30 in each group: Control - C (mean protein source - 15% soybean meal in the diet), Experimental 1 - E1 (7.5% soybean meal, 5% rapeseed meal, 4% white lupin seed, 3% pea seed) and Experimental 2 - E2 (0% soybean meal, 10% rapeseed meal, 8% white lupin seed, 6% pea seed). No significant differences were determined in the final body weights of rabbits. Feed efficiency was better in both of the E groups than in group C. Dressing percentage was higher in group E2 than in group C. Also, protein content in thigh muscle was higher in groups E than in group C. As the dietary proportion of soybean decreased, the proportion of SFA in meat and in perirenal fat decreased, and that of PUFA increased. The obtained results indicate that soybean meal may be successfully replaced in rabbit diets by the combination of rapeseed meal, white lupin seed, and pea seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activities of two types of insect fats extracted from black soldier fly larvae (HI, Hermetia illucens L.) and yellow mealworm larvae (TM, Tenebrio molitor L.) and their effects as dietary replacement of soybean oil (S) on cecal fermentation pattern, and fecal and cecal microbiota in rabbits. A total of 120 weaned rabbits were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments (40 rabbits/group) —a control diet (C diet) containing 1.5% of S and two experimental diets (HI diet (HID) and TM diet (TMD)), where S was totally substituted by HI or TM fats during the whole trial that lasted 41 days. Regarding the in vitro antimicrobial activities, HI and TM fats did not show any effects on Salmonella growth. Yersinia enterocolitica showed significantly lower growth when challenged with HI fats than the controls. The insect fat supplementation in rabbit diets increased the contents of the cecal volatile fatty acids when compared to the control group. A metataxonomic approach was adopted to investigate the shift in the microbial composition as a function of the dietary insect fat supplementation. The microbiota did not show a clear separation as a function of the inclusion, even if a specific microbial signature was observed. Indeed, HI and TM fat supplementation enriched the presence of Akkermansia that was found to be correlated with NH3-N concentration. An increase in Ruminococcus, which can improve the immune response of the host, was also observed. This study confirms the potential of HI and TM fats as antibacterial feed ingredients with a positive influence on the rabbit cecal microbiota, thus supporting the possibility of including HI and TM fats in rabbit diets.

BACKGROUND Lignin inhibitory effects within the cell wall structure constitute a serious drawback in maximizing the utilization of fibrous feedstuffs in animal feeding. Therefore treatments that promote efficient delignification of these materials must be applied. This study evaluated the potential of white-rot fungi to upgrade the nutritive value of cowpea stover for rabbit feeding. RESULTS There was an increase in the crude protein content of all substrates as a result of fungi treatments, reaching a net gain of 13% for Pleurotus citrinopileatus incubation. Overall, net losses of dry and organic matter occurred during fungi treatments. Although the fiber content remained identical, higher consumption of cell wall contents was measured for P. citrinopileatus incubation (between 40 and 45%). The incubation period did not influence lignin degradation for any of the fungi treatments. Differences within the fungal degradation mechanisms indicate that P. citrinopileatus treatment was most effective, enhancing in vitro organic matter digestibility by around 30% compared with the control. CONCLUSION Treatment of cowpea stover with P. citrinopileatus led to an efficient delignification process which resulted in higher in vitro organic matter digestibility, showing its potential in the nutritional valorization of this feedstuff. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soybean meal (SBM) substitution by a mixture of rapeseed meal (RSM), white lupine seeds (WLS) and pea seeds (PS) on productivity, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention and gastrointestinal function in Hyplus rabbits. The Control diet (SBM15) contained 15% SBM, whereas Diet SBM7.5contained 7.5% SBM, 5% RSM, 4% WLS and 3% PS. In Diet SBM0,SBM was completely replaced by RSM, WLS and PS (10%, 8% and 6%, respectively). A production trial was performed on 90 Hyplus rabbits aged from 35 to 84 d (45 each sex; 953 ± 4.6 g). A digestion and balance trial was conducted on 30 rabbits. Additionally, several parameters of the gastrointestinal tracts from eight animals from each group were analysed, where special attention was paid to the enzymatic activity of microbiota and the short-chain fatty acids concentration in caecum and colon. The experimental diets did not cause significant differences regarding performance parameters evaluatedin vivoand post-mortem, and in the nutrient and energy digestibility or nitrogen retention. The observed changes in the enzymatic activity of large gut microbiota, including the selective increase in secretion of glycoside hydrolases by bacterial cells, seem to be responsible for the unchanged growth performance of rabbits fed diets where SBM was substituted by a mixture of RSM, WLS and PS. The obtained results indicate that in rabbit diets SBM may be, partially or completely, successfully replaced by a feed mixture of RSM, WLS and PS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este artículo presenta la evaluación de tres tipos de alimentos, uno de ellos correspondió a alimento tradicional y los otros dos incluyeron en su formulación subproductos generados en el beneficio del café y cacao, utilizados en dieta para ceba y reproducción en conejos raza Nueva Zelanda Blanco. Se utilizó una muestra de 16 conejas y 4 conejos, en los que se evaluaron el incremento total de peso y el número de crías, como variables respuesta en función del tipo de alimento utilizado, se realizó análisis de varianza en un diseño completamente al azar para determinar si existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tratamientos. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (P > 0,05) en los tres tipos de alimentos tanto para ceba y reproducción; se encontraron incrementos totales de peso superiores a los 1300 g utilizando como complemento en el alimento cáscara de cacao, lo cual es considerado satisfactorio para la etapa de ceba; los dos alimentos formulados con suplementos de subproductos generados en el beneficio del café y cacao no afectaron la fase de reproducción en las muestras evaluadas, alcanzándose hasta 11 crías por hembra reproductora.Este artigo apresenta a avaliação de três tipos de alimentos, um deles correspondeu ao alimento tradicional e os outros dois incluíram na sua formulação subprodutos gerados do beneficiamento do café e do cacau, utilizados na dieta para engorde e reprodução dos coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Branco; utilizou-se uma amostra de 16 coelhas e 4 coelhos, nos quais foi avaliado o incremento de peso e o número total de filhotes, como variáveis de resposta em função do tipo de alimentação utilizada, realizou-se análise de variância em um desenho totalmente aleatório para determinar se existem diferenças estatísticas significativas entre os tratamentos. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (P/gt; 0,05) nos três tipos de alimentos tanto para engorde quanto para reprodução; encontraram-se incrementos totais de peso superiores as 1300 g utilizando como complemento o alimento de casca de cacau, o qual é considerado satisfatório para o estágio de engorde; os dois alimentos formulados com suplementos de subprodutos gerados pelo beneficiamento do café e do cacau não afetaram a fase de reprodução nas amostras avaliadas, atingindo-se até 11 filhotes por fêmea reprodutora.By-products prepared from leaves remaining after the harvest of cocoa and coffee were compared in rabbit feeding during fattening and breeding stages. 16 female and 4 male New Zeland White rabbits there were assessed the total increase of weight and number of young; the variable response depending on the type of food treatment; ANOVA was performed in a completely randomized design to determine statistically significant differences between the treatments. There were not found statistically significant differences (P> 0,05) between the three types of food for both fattening and breeding stages; there was found a total increase of weight exceeding the 1.300 g. using cocoa shells as a complement of the food, which is satisfactory for the fattening stage; the two formulated types of food added with supplement of byproducts remaining from the coffee and cocoa benefits, didn´t affect the breeding stage, reaching up to 11 young per breeding female.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a temporary quantitative feed restriction on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass criteria of rabbits. A total of 80 weaned male Californian rabbits (30 d of age) were randomly assigned to four treatments of 20 rabbits each. The Control group was fedad libitumduring the whole experimental period (days 30–72 of age). For the three restricted fed groups the feed intake was reduced by 15%, 30% and 45% compared to the Control group, respectively. The feed restriction was applied after weaning and lasted for 21 d. Thereafter, at 51 d of age, in all treatments the feed supply returned toad libitumintake till 72 d of age (AL period). The feed restriction decreased the body weight gain of rabbits (during the restriction period and the whole experimental period,p < 0.001) and improved feed conversion ratio during all tested periods (p < 0.001). In the AL period, the daily body weight gain of all groups was similar. After the AL period, the digestibility of all measured nutrients was significantly higher for animals fed restrictively. Furthermore, feed restrictions significantly decreased the proportion of perirenal and scapular fat and increased relative weight and length of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it can be concluded that the applied feed restriction improved feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and reduced fat at the slaughter age of Californian rabbits, but the reduced body weight gain could not be compensated by a subsequentad libitumfeeding for 3 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Productive-indicators performance was evaluated in 45 growing Cuban Brown rabbits (498 liveweight) fed with tropical foliage and sugarcane stems. A completely randomized design with three treatments (Teramnus labialis + sugarcane, Ipomoea batata + sugarcane, and Phyla nodiflora + sugarcane) and 15 replicas was applied. Fresh foliage higher consumption rates were registered for I. batata (269 g) and T. labialis (205 g). Animals fed with Ph. nodiflora + sugarcane showed a higher consumption rate for sugarcane (144,87 g). The variant T. labialis + sugarcane exhibited higher consumption rates for the indicators raw protein (9,32 g) and digestible energy (0,79 MJ). Both indicators showed similar liveweight gains (10,46 g/d and 16,96 g/d) and food conversion rates (4,06 and 5,23) for T. labialis + sugarcane and I. batata + sugarcane feeding variants. Liveweight gain was markedly lower for the Ph. nodiflora + sugarcane variant, but food conversion rate exhibited the highest values. Therefore, the feeding variants T. labialis + sugarcane and I. batata + sugarcane are a better option for rabbit breeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By-products of biofuels production such as rapeseed cake and dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) may constitute valuable feedstuffs for livestock. The objectives of the study were to determine the usability of these components in the feeding of growing rabbits and to assess their impact on physiological changes in the gastrointestinal tract of the animals. Sixty-four rabbits were divided into four feeding groups: Control (5% soyabean meal [SBM] in the diet), R (5% rapeseed cake [RSC]), DDGS (5% wheat DDGS), and R/DDGS (2.5% RSC and 2.5% wheat DDGS). The study included a production experiment, a digestibility-balance experiment and physiological assessment of the functioning of animals’ gastrointestinal tract (small intestine, caecum and colon). No statistically significant differences were determined in production results of the rabbits. Digestibility of nutrients and energy and nitrogen retention were the highest in the Control and the lowest in Group DDGS. Group DDGS was characterised by the highest relative weight of small intestine and digesta. In turn, Group R was characterised by the highest degree of caecal digesta hydration and bulking and by the highest pH value and the lowest concentration of VFA in caecum. The activity of selected bacterial enzymes released to the caecal environment was similar in all groups; however, the activity ofα-arabinopyranosidase was significantly increased in Groups R and DDGS. Worthy of notice is the enhanced enzymatic activity of colonic microbiota in the R/DDGS group which has a positive effect upon increased utilisation of dietary nutrients compared to the DDGS group. The obtained results indicate that SBM from rabbit diets may be successfully replaced by 5% RSC as well as by 2.5% RSC + 2.5% wheat DDGS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

By-products prepared from leaves remaining after the harvest of cocoa and coffee were compared in rabbit feeding during fattening and breeding stages. 16 female and 4 male New Zeland White rabbits there were assessed the total increase of weight and number of young; the variable response depending on the type of food treatment; ANOVA was performed in a completely randomized design to determine statistically significant differences between the treatments. There were not found statistically significant differences (P> 0,05) between the three types of food for both fattening and breeding stages; there was found a total increase of weight exceeding the 1.300 g. using cocoa shells as a complement of the food, which is satisfactory for the fattening stage; the two formulated types of food added with supplement of byproducts remaining from the coffee and cocoa benefits, didn't affect the breeding stage, reaching up to 11 young per breeding female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activities of two types of insect fats extracted from black soldier fly larvae (HI, Hermetia illucens L.) and yellow mealworm larvae (TM, Tenebrio molitor L.) and their effects as dietary replacement of soybean oil (S) on cecal fermentation pattern, and fecal and cecal microbiota in rabbits. A total of 120 weaned rabbits were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments (40 rabbits/group) -a control diet (C diet) containing 1.5% of S and two experimental diets (HI diet (HID) and TM diet (TMD)), where S was totally substituted by HI or TM fats during the whole trial that lasted 41 days. Regarding the in vitro antimicrobial activities, HI and TM fats did not show any effects on Salmonella growth. Yersinia enterocolitica showed significantly lower growth when challenged with HI fats than the controls. The insect fat supplementation in rabbit diets increased the contents of the cecal volatile fatty acids when compared to the control group. A metataxonomic approach was adopted to investigate the shift in the microbial composition as a function of the dietary insect fat supplementation. The microbiota did not show a clear separation as a function of the inclusion, even if a specific microbial signature was observed. Indeed, HI and TM fat supplementation enriched the presence of Akkermansia that was found to be correlated with NH3-N concentration. An increase in Ruminococcus , which can improve the immune response of the host, was also observed. This study confirms the potential of HI and TM fats as antibacterial feed ingredients with a positive influence on the rabbit cecal microbiota, thus supporting the possibility of including HI and TM fats in rabbit diets.