<b>Nutritional evaluation of buckwheat (<em>Fagopyrum esculentum</em>, Moench) for growing rabbits</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v28i1.660

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the nutritive value and to evaluate the performance of growing rabbits fed with rations containing different buckwheat levels. In the digestibility assay, 24 male White New Zealand rabbits were used, 45 days old, allotted in a completely randomized experimental design, with two treatments, one reference diet and one test diet, and 12 replications. In the elaboration of test diet, the buckwheat replaced 30% of the reference diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DCDM), gross energy (DCGE), crude protein (DCCP) and starch (DCS) of the buckwheat were 83.95%, 76.64%, 75.04% and 98.01%, respectively. The values of digestible energy (DE), digestible protein (DP) and digestible starch (DS), as fed basis, were: 2,914 kcal/kg, 8.63% and 36.84%. In the performance experiment, rations containing increased levels of buckwheat (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) were used to replace the wheat meal. Seventy White New Zealand rabbits, 35 days old, 35 males and 35 females, were alloted in a completely randomized experimental design, with five treatments and 14 replications each, and the experimental unit constituted of one animal. No differences were observed (p < 0.05) in the performance of growing rabbits fed with ration containing increasing levels of buckwheat. Results show that the buckwheat has good nutritive value and it can replace the wheat meal in the growing rabbits rations, without damage to performance.