Effect of different pellet sizes on the production and parasito-logical load of growing rabbits
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17205/aweth.7051Keywords:
fattening rabbits, feeding, oocysts, coccidiosisAbstract
Rabbit feeds can typically be purchased commercially with pellet diameters of 2.5–4.0 mm. The aim of the study was to investigate the production and parasitological contamination of growing rabbits fed pelleted feeds with diameters of 3 mm and 4 mm. One group of fattening rabbits was fed pelleted feed with a diameter of 3 mm and another with a diameter of 4 mm (n = 60 rabbits/group). The feeds were identical concerning raw material and chemical composition. Growing rabbits were examined under industrial conditions in wire mesh cages (5 rabbits per cage) between 45 and 72 days of age. Mortality was investigated in larger groups (n = 1050 rabbits/group) under the same housing conditions. Pellet size did not affect the body weight of rabbits at 72 days of age (3 mm:
2696 g; 4 mm: 2670 g; P > 0.05), the average daily weight gain between 45 and 72 days of age (3 mm: 46.3 g/day; 4 mm: 45.2 g/day; P > 0.05), the feed consumption (3 mm: 176 g/day; 4 mm: 169 g/day; P > 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (3 mm: 4.03; 4 mm: 4.08 g; P>0.05). Diarrhoea was not observed in either group during the growing period. Mortality of the groups remained at acceptable levels and did not differ (3 mm: 1.5%;
4 mm: 2.4%; P > 0.05). Parasitological examinations showed a very good sanitary status, no infected faeces samples were found at any observation day. Diets with the same composition but different pellet sizes did not affect the production and health status of the growing rabbits.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Matics Zsolt, Demeter-Jeremiás Anett, Varga Erzsébet, Németh Zoltán, Sándor Máté, Mayer András, Gerencsér Zsolt, Demeter Csongor
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