EVALUATION OF SIMPLIFIED AND HALF-SIMPLIFIED DIETS ON THE BASIS OF THE MIXTURE OF FORAGE CROPS, WITH AND WITHOUT ENZYMES, FOR GROWING RABBITS

Abstract

The simplified and half-simplified diets are a new technology that combines economy and welfare intestinal. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of simplified and half-simplified diets, with and without exogenous enzymes, on the productive performance of growing rabbits. A Reference diet, two simplified diets and eight half-simplified diets had been utilized. The main fibrous sources used were the alfalfa hay (ALH), hay from the upper third of the cassava foliage (HUTCF) and cassava leaf meal (CLM), using a completely randomized design with 11 treatments and eight repetitions. The enzymes used were the carbohydrases (alpha-galactosidase, galactomanase, xylanase and beta-glucanase) and phytase. The consumption of animals fed with diets with high inclusion of CLM was lower than the other. The daily weight gain was higher in animals fed with the reference diet, half-simplified diet based on HUTCF and half-simplified diets based on the mix of ALH and CLM. A positive effect of exogenous enzymes inclusion, on the performance parameters, was not observed. Based on these results we conclude that the simplified and half-simplified diets provide decrease in productive performance. Considering the proportionate economy in the cost of feed, the half simplified based on HUTCF may be an interesting alternative.

KEYWORDS: cassava foliage, productive performance, rabbit production.