Authors : Aziza Gasmi-Boubaker , R. Bergaoui , A. Khaldi , M.R. Mosquera-Losada and A. Ketata
Abstract: Twenty four New Zealand x Californian rabbits (2413±147 g initial weight) were allotted to three dietary treatments in a completely randomised design, to investigate the effect of inclusion of carob pulp in commercial concentrate on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. Carob pulp was added at 3 different levels: 0, 10 and 20% to the commercial concentrate and 3 dietary treatments designated as D1 (0% carob pulp), D2 (10% carob pulp) and D3 (20% carob pulp) were fed to the rabbits. Digestibility was determined by total faecal collection (caecotrophy was not prevented). Dry matter and OM digestibilities have been significantly increased in rabbits fed the diets incorporating carob pulp (p< 0.05) but no significant differences (p>0.05) can be found for CP and CF digestibilities among the different diets. The apparent absorption rates of phosphorus, magnesium and potassium showed weak changes among diets and averaged 36, 73 and 86%, respectively. Apparent nitrogen retention (as g day 1 or proportion of N intake) was similar in the 3 group of rabbits. Based on the above, assessment of conditions for using higher levels of carob pulp for rabbits requires more research.
Aziza Gasmi-Boubaker , R. Bergaoui , A. Khaldi , M.R. Mosquera-Losada and A. Ketata , 2007. First Attempt to Study Carob Pulp Utilization in Rabbits Feeding . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 1269-1272.