<b>Nutritional evaluation of raw or extruded cassava for growing rabbits</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v27i1.1258

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to determine nutritional value of raw or extruded cassava and to verify the performance of growing rabbits fed rations, containing increasing levels of the cassava. In a digestibility essay, 21 New Zealand White rabbits breed, 15 males and 6 females, at average age of 55 days, were allocated in a completely randomized design with three treatments and seven replications. The dry digestible matter, organic digestible matter, digestible starch and energy, based on dry matter were respectively, 74.8%, 86.5%, 80.1% and 3,512 Kcal/kg for the cassava and 79.3%, 91.0%, 80.1% and 3.641 Kcal/kg for the extruded cassava. In the performance experiment, 98 White New Zealand rabbits were used, 49 males and 49 females, 39 days old, allocated in a completely randomized design, with seven treatments and 14 replications. The treatments consisted of a control ration based on unprocessed corn grain and other six rations where corn grain was replaced at levels of 33, 66 and 100% by raw or extruded cassava. The regression analyses did not differ (P < 0.05) in performance and carcass of growing rabbits fed with ration, containing increasing levels of raw or extruded cassava. It can be concluded that the raw or extruded cassava has good nutritive value and it can replace totally the corn grain in the growing rabbits rations. The use of raw or extruded cassava in rations depends on availability and market price