Digestibility and contribution of caecotrophy of rabbits fed with or without vegetable oil in the diet

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Animal Metabolism and Nutrition Laboratory located at the Veterinary School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (VS-UFMG). 20 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), race (New Zealand White) were used, of both sexes, with 63 days old. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, consisting of two treatments, two experimental diets (T1: diet without the addition of vegetable oil vegetable and T2: diet complemented with oil vegetable) and ten repetitions. The feces of each animal were collected daily in the morning. We evaluated the apparent digestibility of dry matter (CDDM), crude protein (CDCP), Ethereal Extract (CDEE), organic matter (CDOM) and gross energy (CDGE) of the feed. A diet with carbohydrate as the main source of energy had a higher CDGE 61.34% and lower CDMS 60.95%. The other parameters evaluated showed no differences between treatments. It evaluated the composition and production of cecotrophes rabbits fed with the aforementioned diet. Regarding the composition of cecotrophes no differences were observed in dry matter and CP by different diets offered, however, the OM and EE content were different and that a diet without lipid complementation showed cecotrophes higher OM content and lower content EE. Regarding the nutritional contribution of nutrients from cecotrophes, the CNDM and CNEE were no significant differences, and the diet supplemented with lipids provided greater CNDM 23.01% vs 17.83% of the diet not complementation and a smaller CNEE 9.65% vs 15.17% of the diet not complementation. The diets did not result in differences in the production of cecotrophes. Based on the results obtained it was concluded be possible inclusion of vegetable oil in the diets of growing rabbits in the 6% level, provided that respect the limits established in the literature fibers, when making the diet.