A Note on the Effect of Different Feeding Levels on the Rate of Digesta Passage in Rabbits

Abstract

A study on digesta passage was made with Cr-mordanted fibre in 28 rabbits. The rabbits were fed a pelleted diet at either restricted or ad lib. level. The restricted rabbits were realimented at the same level of feeding as the continuously ad lib. fed animals. Restricted feeding, 50% or 60% of ad lib., resulted in a mean retention time of 26.1 hours or 19.7 hours respectively, compared with 12.6 hours with ad lib. feeding. At realimentation, when all groups were fed at the same feeding level, mean retention times were nearly identical.

Key Words:

• Rabbit
• passage rate
• feeding level