Comparación de tres alternativas alimenticias en conejos durante la etapa de crecimiento y acabado

Three feeding regimes commonly utilized by breeders during the finishing stages of rabbit production were evaluated using 30 weaned 30 day old rabbits of the California breed. The three feeding regimes consisted of: commercial concentrate (TI); 70% concentrate plus 30% alfalfa hay (TII); and 70% bran plus 30% alfalfa hay (TIII). Five males and five females were randomly assigned to each of the three re gimes for 56 days. Daily weight gain (g), feed consumption (kg), food conversion index and feeding cost (S/.), were: 28.35, 5.31, 3.33 and 3.39forTI; 23.52, 5.37,4.15 and 4.32 forTil; and 18.52, 5.18, 5.03 and 2.75 for TIII. Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in weight gain and food conversion index were found in the animals fed with commercial concentrate (TI), while 70% bran plus 30% alfalfa hay (TilI) was the most economical making the latter di et a low cost alternative for rabbit breeders.