Uso de follaje fresco de árnica (Tithonia diversifolia) y morera (Morus alba) en la alimentación de conejos

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the Tithonia diversifolia and mulberry (Morus alba) fresh foliage use in fattening rabbits fed with a commercial balanced diet (AC) in different proportions. In the fi rst, 21 rabbits (1350 ± 175 g of body weight) were distributed individually according to a completely randomized experimental design in three treatments and seven replications. The treatments were T1 = ad libitum supply of AC; T2 = AC restricted to 20% plus tithonia fresh foliage ad libitum; T3 = AC restricted to 40% plus tithonia fresh foliage ad libitum. In the second experiment 30 animals weighing 1450 ± 36 g were distributed individually according to similar experimental design in 3 treatments and 10 replications. The treatments were T1 = ad libitum supply of AC, T2 = ad libitum supply of AC plus tithonia and mulberry fresh foliage ad libitum, T3 = AC restricted to 20% plus tithonia and mulberry fresh foliage ad libitum. In the fi rst experiment, average daily weight gain (ADG) and dry matter consumption (CMS) was lower (P 0.05) among diets (34.73, 32.36 and 33.15 g/rabbit for T1, T2 and T3), while the CMS was lower with AC alone (120.70, 140.03 y 138.60 g/rabbit/day, respectively). Forage consumption was 170.67 and 169.36 g/day for T2 and T3. The cecum weight tended to decrease when animals consumed forages. The fresh foliage supply reduce the use of commercial feed and improved the animal responses in rabbits