Nutritive value of sun-dried common reed (Phragmites australis) leaves and its effect on performance and carcass characteristics of the growing rabbit

Abstract

The nutritive value and potential use of sun-dried common reed (<em>Phragmites australis</em>) leaves (CRL), for growing rabbits was studied by comparing 3 diets (regression method) containing an increasing incorporation rate of CRL: 0% (control, CRL0), 15% (CRL15) and 30% (CRL30) in substitution for the control diet (356 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 197 g crude protein (CP)/kg). Three groups of 37 rabbits (individually caged) were fed the 3 diets <em>ad libitum</em> from weaning (35 d, mean weight: 722±142 g) to 77 d of age. The faecal digestibility of the diets was measured between 42 and 46 d of age in 10 rabbits per group. CRL can be considered high-fibre roughage, as it contained 64% of NDF (38% of ADF and 10% ADL) and 10.2% of CP. The digestible energy (DE) content of CRL calculated by regression was null (–1.8±0.29 MJ/kg as fed). CP digestibility reached 29%, corresponding to a digestible crude protein concentration of 29.0±5.6 g/kg as fed basis. The fibre digestibility was reduced with CRL incorporation. Dietary incorporation of CRL impaired the rabbit growth (34.2 vs. 31.5 g/d during the period 35-77 d without CRL or with CRL (CRL15 and CRL30), respectively; P=0.002). Consequently, feed conversion was impaired with the high incorporation rate in feed (30%). Health status or main slaughter traits were not affected by CRL incorporation rate. Thus, the sun-dried common reed leaves had a poor nutritive value for growing rabbits and it can be considered a high-fibre feedstuff, interesting to supply low digested fibres (cellulose) and lignin.

Growth performances, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood metabolic parameters in rabbits of local Algerian population and synthetic line

“…Average daily feed intake was unaffected by the genotype, and it was similar to that reported by several authors on different local populations and strains [15,28]. Our local population showed a similar average daily gain than other local populations [24,29]. However, the average daily gain was 19% higher in the synthetic line, but it was still lower than gains of different reported in other lines such as Hyla line (−16%) [30], New Zealand rabbits (−6%) [31], and V line (−11%) [28].…”

Rabbit meat in the east of Algeria: motivation and obstacles to consumption

“…Most of the research conducted on rabbits in Algeria to date has often focused on carcass production, fertility and yield (Zerrouki et al, 2014;Belabbas et al, 2016;Kadi et al, 2018;Belabbas, 2019). To the best of our knowledge, in Algeria, studies about rabbit meat production are scarcely reported.…”

Replacement of barley grains and dehydrated alfalfa by Sulla Hay (<i>Hedysarum flexuosum</i>) and common reed leaves (<i>Phragmites australis</i>) in fattening rabbits diet

“…atteindre les valeurs recommandées pour les lapins en engraissement. En plus du fait que l'estimation de l'ED à partir des tables est inexacte [4], cette situation serait liée, notamment dans l'aliment expérimental, aux apports nuls en énergie des feuilles de roseau comme rapporté par Kadi et al [2]. Les apports protéiques des deux aliments dépassent largement les prévisions ainsi que les recommandations pour les lapins en croissance [3] et qui sont de 15%.…”

“…De même, les feuilles de Roseau (Phragmites australis), disponibles en grande quantité et non valorisées, sont une bonne source de fibres pour le lapin en engraissement. Selon Kadi et al [2], elles contiennent au stade de maturité (en % de MS) 69% NDF, 41% ADF et 11,5% d'ADL alors que leur apports en ED et PD sont très faibles : apports nuls en ED et 32 g/kg MS de protéines digestibles.…”