Effect of quantitative feed restriction on the performance, organ development and cecal activity of growing nutrias (Myocastor coypus)

et al. 2022

Preprint

Feed restriction after weaning is a common strategy in commercial rabbit farms to improve feed efficiency, promote health and to reduce mortality. However, no study has been published on Minxinan black rabbits. The effects of feed restriction on growth and slaughter performance, intestinal morphology and serum biochemical indexes of Minxinan black rabbits were evaluated in this study. Rabbits in group A (control group) ad libitum intake, the others in feed restriction groups (groups B, C and D) were restricted by 80% of the average daily feed intake of group A the day before. The experimental period lasted 8 weeks. The results indicated that, compared with group A, diarrhea rate of feed restriction groups C was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed/gain (F/G), abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat rate, the contents of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and intestinal crypt depth of feed restriction groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). F/G of group D was significantly lower than that of groups B and C (P < 0.05). Efficiency index (EEI) of groups C and D were higher than of groups A and B (P < 0.01). Triglyceride (TG) of groups C and D were significantly lower than group A (P < 0.01). The V/C of duodenum and jejunum of group D was significantly higher than that of group A (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the F/G, diarrhea rate, abdominal fat rate, serum ALT and lipid indexes of Minxinan black rabbits can be reduced, EI and intestinal health can be improved by feed restriction. Feeding twice a day, 30% at 8:00am and 70% at 4:00pm has the best comprehensive effects.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Effects of different feeding methods on growth and slaughter performance, blood biochemical indexes and intestinal morphology in Minxinan black rabbits

chen

Sun

et al. 2022

Preprint

“…Similarly, Knudsen et al found that the slaughter rate of growing rabbits was significantly reduced when growing rabbits were fed at 75% ad libitum intake for 4 weeks (Knudsen et al 2017 ). By contrast, feed restriction significantly reduced the percentage of perirenal fat (Tumova et al 2021 ; Tůmová et al 2021 ). In the current study, the abdominal fat and abdominal fat percentages in the feed restriction groups were significantly lower than those in the ad libitum feeding group A.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of feeding methods on growth and slaughter performance, blood biochemical indices, and intestinal morphology in Minxinan black rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Sun

et al. 2023

Trop Anim Health Prod

Feed restriction after weaning is a common strategy used in commercial rabbit farms to improve feed efficiency, promote health, and reduce mortality. However, few studies have investigated the feed restrictions of Minxinan black rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, the effects of feed restriction on growth and slaughter performance, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemical indices of Minxinan black rabbits were evaluated in this study. Rabbits in group A (control group) had ad libitum intake, while those in feed restriction groups (groups B, C, and D) were restricted to 80% of the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of group A the day before. The rabbits in group B were fed once per day at 8:00 am. Rabbits in groups C and D were fed twice per day at 8:00 am (50%) and 4:00 pm (50%) and 8:00 am (30%) and 4:00 pm (70%), respectively. The experimental period lasted for 8 weeks. Compared to that in group A, the diarrhea rate of group C was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the ADFI, feed conversion ratio, abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat rate, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein, and intestinal crypt depth of all feed restriction groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio in group D was significantly better than that in groups B and C (P < 0.05). The efficiency index (EI) of groups C and D was higher than that of groups A and B (P < 0.01). Triglyceride levels in groups C and D were significantly lower than those in group A. The villus length to crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum in group D was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the following parameters can be improved by feed restriction: feed conversion ratio, diarrhea rate, abdominal fat rate, serum ALT, lipid indices and intestinal health of Minxinan black rabbits, and the EI of the farm. Feeding twice per day, 30% at 8:00 am and 70% at 4:00 pm, had the best comprehensive effects.

A comparative study on the effect of quantitative feed restriction in males and females of broiler chickens, rabbits and nutrias. I. Performance and carcass composition

Tůmová¹,

Chodová²,

Volek³

et al. 2022

CZECH J ANIM SCI

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of feed restriction on the growth performance and carcass composition of chicken, rabbit and nutria males and females. Feed restriction was applied at a rate of 70% ad libitum from 14 to 21 days of age in chickens, 70% ad libitum from 42 to 49 days of age in rabbits, and 70% ad libitum from 12 to 15 weeks of age in nutrias. Animals were fed ad libitum prior to and following restriction. Carcass composition was evaluated at common slaughter ages, i.e., 31 days in chickens, 70 days in rabbits, and eight months in nutrias. The results showed stronger effects of feed restriction, sex, and their interaction in broiler chickens than in rabbits and nutrias. In chickens, feed restriction increased the sex differences in final body weight, which were associated with interaction of feed restriction and sex (P = 0.009). Feed restriction as a fixed factor significantly affected growth and feed conversion in chickens and it was with no effect in rabbits and nutrias. The effect of feed restriction on carcass composition was negligible in all selected species. With respect to sex, significant differences were observed in chickens in final body weight, daily weight gain, dressing out percentage and breast percentage, in rabbits in loin percentage, and in nutrias in growth and perirenal fat percentage. Results of the study indicated that interactions of feed restriction and sex in growth might be associated with a short realimentation period.