Date Received: 06-06-2025
Date Published: 13-06-2025
##submissions.doi##: https://doi.org/10.31817/tckhnnvn.2012.10.2.
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Effects of Proportions of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Water Spinash (Ipomoea aquatica) in the Diet on Feed Utilization and Performances of New Zealand White rabbits
,
Nguyen Thi Duong Huyen
,
Nguyen Ngoc Bang
,
Mai Thi Thom
Keywords
Rabbits, elephant grass, water spinash, digestibility, growth
Abstract
A feeding trial was carried out to determine effects of replacement of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with water spinash (Ipomoea aquatica) at different levels in the diet on feed utilization, growth and carcass performances of exotic rabbits. A total of 30 New Zealand White rabbits at 1.5 months of age were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 each to be fed individually on diets in which 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% elephant grass was replaced with water spinash. Results showed that intakes of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were highest when water spinash accounted for 50-75% of forage in the diet. The more was the proportion of water spinash the more were the intake of protein (CP) and digestibilities. The average daily gain (ADG) was increased (P<0,001) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) reduced accordingly (P<0,001) when the proportion of water spinash increased up to 75%. Live weight and carcass weight were increased (P<0,01) with the increase in the proportion of water spinash while the carcass composition was not significantly affected (P>0,05).
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