Consequences of Partial Substitution of Starch with Fibre on Growth, Carcass Traits, Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters in Growing Rabbits

The study aimed to investigate the partial substitution of starch with fibre on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and select blood indices of growing rabbits. One hundred-twenty 28 d-old male rabbits were equally distributed into four groups in a 2×2 factorial design. Four diets were formulated wherein starch was partially replaced with two different levels each of acid detergent fibre (ADF) at 23.6 and 29.2% and neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) at 14.5 and 15.5%. At the end of the experiment (90 days of age), the weight gain and feed conversion increased in rabbits fed a high level of NDSF. However, rabbits fed low level of ADF showed a significant improvement in the digestibility of DM and CP. Feed intake was increased by 3.5% with lower level of ADF. Carcass traits and blood indices did not show significant differences among the treated groups. It may be concluded that partial substitution of starch with (15.5%) NDSF and (23.6) ADF had beneficial effects on the performance and nutrients digestibility without any adverse effects on health status of rabbits.