Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T18:14:02.890Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nutritional impact on health and performance in intensively reared rabbits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2012

J. C. De Blas
J. C. De Blas*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Producción Animal, ETS Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica, 28040 Madrid, Spain
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

The present work summarizes research related to the definition of nutrient recommendations for feeds used in the intensive production of rabbit's meat. Fibre is the main chemical constituent of rabbit diets that typically contain 320 to 360 and 50 to 90 g/kg of insoluble and soluble fibre, respectively. Instead, the dietary contents of cereal grains (∼120 to 160 g/kg), fat (15 to 25 g/kg) and protein concentrates (150 to 180 g/kg) are usually low with respect to other intensively reared monogastric animals. Cell wall constituents are not well digested in rabbits, but this effect is compensated by its stimulus of gut motility, which leads to an increasing rate of passage of digesta, and allows achieving an elevated dry matter intake. A high feed consumption and an adequate balance in essential nutrients are required to sustain the elevated needs of high-productive rabbits measured either as reproductive yield, milk production or growth rate in the fattening period. Around weaning, pathologies occur in a context of incomplete development of the digestive physiology of young rabbits. The supply of balanced diets has also been related to the prevention of disorders by means of three mechanisms: (i) promoting a lower retention time of the digesta in the digestive tract through feeding fibre sources with optimal chemical and physical characteristics, (ii) restricting feed intake after weaning or (iii) causing a lower flow of easily available substrates into the fermentative area by modifying feed composition (e.g. by lowering protein and starch contents, increasing its digestibility or partially substituting insoluble with soluble fibre), or by delaying age at weaning. The alteration in the gut microbiota composition has been postulated as the possible primary cause of these pathologies.

Keywords

nutritionfeed efficiencyperformancegut healthrabbits
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 7 , Issue s1: The 8th International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores (ISNH8) 6 – 9th September 2011, Aberystwyth (UK) , March 2013 , pp. 102 - 111
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alvarez, JL, Marguenda, I, García-Rebollar, P, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC, Corujo, A, García-Ruiz, AI 2007. Effects of type and level of fibre on digestive physiology and performance in reproducing and growing rabbits. World Rabbit Science 15, 9–17.Google Scholar
Björnhag, G 1972. Separation and delay contents in the rabbit colon. Swedish Journal of Agricultural Research 2, 125–136.Google Scholar
Blas, E, Gidenne, T 2010. Digestion of sugars and starch. In The nutrition of the rabbit, 2nd edition (ed. JC de Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 19–38. CABI Publishing CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Cachaldora, P, Nicodemus, N, García, J, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 2004. Efficacy of amylofeed in growing rabbit diets. Word Rabbit Science 12, 23–31.Google Scholar
Carabaño, R, Piquer, J, Menoyo, D, Badiola, I 2010. The digestive system of the rabbit. In The nutrition of the rabbit, 2nd edition (ed. JC de Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 1–18. CABI Publishing CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Chamorro, S, Gómez-Conde, MS, Pérez de Rozas, AM, Badiola, I, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 2007. Effect on digestion and performance of dietary protein content and of increased substitution of lucerne hay with soya-bean protein concentrate in starter diets for young rabbits. Animal 1, 651–659.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Corring, T, Lebas, F, Cortout, D 1972. Contrôle de l’évolution de l’équipement enzymatique du pancréas exocrine de la naissance à 6 semaines. Annales de Biologie Animale, Biochimie et Biophysique 12, 221–231.Google Scholar
Cortez, S, Brandebruger, H, Greuel, E, Sundrum, A 1992. Investigations of the relationships between feed and health-status on the intestinal flora of rabbits. Tierärztliche Umschau 47, 544–549.Google Scholar
De Blas, JC, Mateos, GG 2010. Feed formulation. In The nutrition of the rabbit, 2nd edition (ed. JC de Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 222–232. CABI Publishing CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
De Blas, JC, Pérez, E, Fraga, MJ, Rodríguez, M, Gálvez, J 1981. Effect of diet on feed intake and growth of rabbits from weaning to slaughter at different ages and weights. Journal of Animal Science 52, 1225–1232.Google Scholar
De Blas, JC, Fraga, MJ, Rodríguez, JM 1985. Units for feed evaluation and requirements for commercially grown rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 60, 1021–1028.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Blas, JC, Santomá, G, Carabaño, R, Fraga, MJ 1986. Fiber and starch levels in fattening rabbit diets. Journal of Animal Science 63, 1897–1904.Google Scholar
De Blas, JC, Wiseman, J, Fraga, MJ, Villamide, MJ 1992. Prediction of the digestible energy and digestiblity of gross energy of feeds for rabbits. 2. Mixed diets. Animal Feed Science and Technology 39, 39–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Blas, JC, Taboada, E, Mateos, GG, Nicodemus, N, Méndez, J 1995. Effect of substitution of starch for fiber and fat in isoenergetic diets on nutrient digestibility and reproductive performance of rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 73, 1131–1137.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Blas, JC, Taboada, E, Nicodemus, N, Campos, R, Piquer, J, Méndez, J 1998. Performance response of lactating and growing rabbits to dietary threonine content. Animal Feed Science and Technology 70, 151–160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Blas, JC, García, J, Carabaño, R 1999. Role of fibre in rabbit diets. A review. Annales de Zootechnie 48, 3–13.Google Scholar
Dojana, N, Costache, M, Dinischiotu, A 1998. The activity of some digestive enzymes in domestic rabbits before and after weaning. Animal Science 66, 501–507.Google Scholar
Escalona, B, Rocha, R, García, J, Carabaño, R, de Blas, JC 1999. Characterization of in situ fibre digestion of several fibrous foods. Animal Science 68, 217–221.Google Scholar
Fernández-Carmona, J, Pascual, JJ, Cervera, C 2000. The use of fat in rabbit diets. World Rabbit Science 8 (suppl. 1), 29–59.Google Scholar
Feugier, A, Smit, MN, Fortun-Lamothe, L, Gidenne, T 2006. Fibre and protein requirements of early weaned rabbits and the interaction with weaning age: effects on digestive health and growth performance. Animal Science 82, 493–500.Google Scholar
Fraga, MJ, de Blas, C, Pérez, E, Rodríguez, JM, Pérez, C, Gálvez, J 1983. Effects of diet on chemical composition of rabbits slaughtered at fixed body weights. Journal of Animal Science 56, 1097–1104.Google Scholar
Fraga, MJ, Lorente, M, Carabaño, R, de Blas, C 1989. Effect of diet and of remating interval on milk production and milk composition of the doe rabbit. Animal Production 48, 459–466.Google Scholar
Gallois, M, Gidenne, T, Tasca, C, Caubet, C, Coudert, C, Milon, A, Boullier, S 2007. Maternal milk contains antimicrobial factors that protect young rabbits from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection. Clinical Vaccine Immunology 14, 585–592.Google Scholar
García, AI, De Blas, JC, Carabaño, R 2004. Effect of type of diet (casein-based or protein-free) and caecotrophy on ileal endogenous nitrogen and amino acid flow in rabbits. Animal Science 79, 231–240.Google Scholar
García, AI, De Blas, JC, Carabaño, R 2005. Comparison of different methods for nitrogen and amino acid evaluation in rabbit diets. Animal Science 80, 169–178.Google Scholar
García, G, Gálvez, JF, De Blas, JC 1992. Substitution of barley grain by sugar-beet pulp in diets for finishing rabbits. 2. Effect on growth performance. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research 15, 1017–1024.Google Scholar
García, G, Gálvez, JF, De Blas, JC 1993. Effect of substitution of sugarbeet pulp for barley in diets for finishing rabbits on growth performance and on energy and nitrogen efficiency. Journal of Animal Science 71, 1823–1830.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
García, J, De Blas, JC, Carabaño, R, Garcia, P 1995a. Effect of type of lucerne hay on cecal fermentation and nitrogen contribution through caecotrophy in rabbits. Reproduction Nutrition Development 35, 267–275.Google Scholar
García, J, Perez-Alba, L, Alvarez, C, Rocha, R, Ramos, M, De Blas, JC 1995b. Prediction of the nutritive value of lucerne hay in diets for growing rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology 54, 33–44.Google Scholar
García, J, Villamide, MJ, De Blas, JC 1996. Energy, protein and fibre digestibility of sunflower hulls, olive leaves and NaOH-treated barley Straw for rabbits. World Rabbit Science 4, 205–209.Google Scholar
García, J, Villamide, MJ, De Blas, JC 1997. Energy, protein and fibre digestiblity of soya bean hulls for rabbits. World Rabbit Science 5, 111–113.Google Scholar
García, J, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 1999. Effect of fiber source on cell wall digestibility and rate of passage in rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 77, 898–905.Google Scholar
García, J, Carabaño, R, Perez Alba, L, De Blas, JC 2000. Effect of fiber source on cecal fermentation and nitrogen recycled through cecotrophy in rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 78, 638–646.Google Scholar
García, J, Gidenne, T, Falcao, L, De Blas, JC 2002a. Identification of the main factors that influence cecal fermentation traits in growing rabbits. Animal Research 51, 165–173.Google Scholar
García, J, Nicodemus, N, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 2002b. Effect of inclusion of defatted grape seed meal in the diet on digestion and performance of growing rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 80, 162–170.Google Scholar
García-Palomares, J, Carabaño, R, García-Rebollar, P, De Blas, JC, Corujo, A, García-Ruiz, AI 2006. Effects of a dietary protein reduction and enzyme supplementation on growth performance in the fattening period. World Rabbit Science 14, 231–236.Google Scholar
García-Ruiz, AI, García-Palomares, J, García-Rebollar, P, Chamorro, S, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 2006. Effect of protein source and enzyme supplementation on ileal protein digestibility and fattening performance in rabbits. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 4, 297–303.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T 1993. Measurement of the rate of passage in restricted-fed rabbits: effect of dietary cell wall level on the transit of fibre particles of different sizes. Animal Feed Science and Technology 42, 151–163.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Licois, D 2005. Effect of high fibre intake on the resistance of the growing rabbit to an experimental inoculation with an enteropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. Animal Science 80, 281–288.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Feugier, A 2009. Feed restriction strategy in the growing rabbit. 1. Impact on digestion, rate of passage and microbial activity. Animal 3, 501–508.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Arveux, P, Madec, O 2001a. The effect of the quality of dietary lignocellulose on digestion, zootechnical performance and health of the growing rabbit. Animal Science 73, 97–104.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Kerdiles, V, Jehl, N, Arveux, P, Briens, C, Eckenfelder, B, Fortune, H, Montessuy, S, Muraz, G, Stephan, S 2001b. An increase of dietary ratio digestible fibre/crude protein does not affect the performances of the growing rabbit but reduce enteritis incidence: preliminary results of a multi-site study. In Proceedings of the 9e Journées de la Recherche Cunicole (ed. G Bolet), pp. 65–68. ITAVI Publications, Paris, France.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Jehl, N, Lapanouse, A, Segura, M 2004. Inter-relationship of microbial activity, digestion and gut health in the rabbit: effect of substituting fibre by starch in diets having a high proportion of rapidly fermentable polysaccharides. British Journal of Nutrition 92, 95–104.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Segura, M, Lapanouse, A 2005. Effect of cereal sources and processing in diets for the growing rabbit. I. Effects on digestion and fermentative activity in the caecum. Animal Research 54, 55–64.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Combes, S, Feugier, A, Jehl, N, Arveux, P, Boisot, P, Briens, C, Corrent, E, Fortune, H, Montessuy, S, Verdelhan, S 2009a. Feed restriction strategy in the growing rabbit. 2. Impact on digestive health, growth and carcass characteristics. Animal 3, 509–515.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Murr, S, Travel, A, Corrent, E, Foubert, C, Bebin, K, Mevel, L, Rebours, G, Renouf, B 2009b. Effets du niveau de rationnement et du mode de distribution de l'aliment sur les performances et les troubles digestifs post-sevrage du lapereau. Cuniculture 36, 65–72.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Carabaño, R, Garcia, J, De Blas, JC 2010a. Fibre digestion. In The nutrition of the rabbit, 2nd edition (ed. JC de Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 66–82. CABI Publishing CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Gidenne, T, Garcia, J, Lebas, F, Licois, D 2010b. Nutrition and feeding strategy: interactions with pathology. In The nutrition of the rabbit, 2nd edition (ed. JC de Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 179–199. CABI Publishing CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Gómez-Conde, MS, Menoyo, D, Chamorro, S, López-Bote, CJ, García-Rebollar, P, De Blas, JC 2006. Conjugated linoleic acid content in cecotrophes, suprarenal and intramuscular fat in rabbits fed commercial diets. World Rabbit Science 14, 95–99.Google Scholar
Gómez-Conde, MS, García, J, Chamorro, S, Eiras, P, Rebollar, PG, Pérez de Rozas, A, Badiola, I, de Blas, JC, Carabaño, R 2007. Neutral detergent-soluble fiber improves gut barrier function in 25 d old weaned rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 85, 3313–3321.Google Scholar
Gómez-Conde, MS, Pérez de Rozas, A, Badiola, I, Pérez-Alba, L, De Blas, JC, Carabaño, R, García, J 2009. Effect of neutral detergent soluble fibre on digestion, intestinal microbiota and performance in twenty five day old weaned rabbits. Livestock Science 125, 192–198.Google Scholar
Gutiérrez, I, García, J, Carabaño, R, Mateos, GG, De Blas, JC 2000. Effect of exogenous phytase on phosphorus and nitrogen digestibility in growing–finishing rabbits. World Rabbit Science 8 (suppl. 1), 277–281.Google Scholar
Gutiérrez, I, Espinosa, A, García, J, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 2002a. Effect of levels of starch, fiber and lactose on digestion and growth performance of early-weaned rabbits. Journal of Animal Science 80, 1029–1037.Google Scholar
Gutiérrez, I, Espinosa, A, García, J, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 2002b. Effects of starch and protein sources, heat processing and exogenous enzymes in starter diets for early weaned rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology 98, 175–186.Google Scholar
Gutiérrez, I, Espinosa, A, García, J, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC 2003. Effect of source of protein on digestion and growth performance of early-weaned rabbits. Animal Research 52, 461–472.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haffar, A, Laval, A, Guillou, JP 1988. Entérotoxémie à Clostridium spiroforme chez des lapins adultes. Le Point Vétérinaire 20, 99–102.Google Scholar
Hernández, P, Dalle Zotte, A 2010. Influence of diet on rabbit meat quality. In The nutrition of the rabbit, 2nd edition (ed. JC de Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 163–178. CABI Publishing CAB International, Wallingford, UK.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hörnicke, H, Björnhag, G 1980. Coprophagy and related strategies for digesta utilization. In Digestive physiology and metabolism in ruminants (ed. Y Ruckebusch and P Thivend), pp. 707–730. MTP Press, Lancaster, UK.Google Scholar
Lebas, F 1993. Amélioration de la viabilité des lapereaux en engraissement par un sevrage tardif. Cuniculture 20, 73–75.Google Scholar
Maertens, L, Huyghebaert, G, De Groote, G 1986. Digestibility and digestible energy content of various fats for growing rabbits. Cuni-Science 3, 7–14.Google Scholar
Maertens, L, Luzi, F, De Groote, G 1997. Effect of dietary protein and amino acids on the performance, carcass composition and N excretion of growing rabbits. Annales de Zootechnie 46, 255–268.Google Scholar
Maertens, L, Aerts, JM, De Brabander, DL 2005. Effect of a diet rich in n-3 fatty acids on the performances and milk composition of does and the viability of their progeny. Proceedings of the 11e Journées de la Recherche Cunicole, 29–30 November 2005, pp. 209–212. Paris, France.Google Scholar
Marounek, M, Vovk, SJ, Skrivanova, V 1995. Distribution of hydrolytic enzymes in the digestive tract of rabbits. British Journal of Nutrition 73, 463–469.Google Scholar
Marounek, M, Duskova, D, Skrivanova, V 2003. Hydrolysis of phytic acid and its availability in rabbits. British Journal of Nutrition 89, 287–294.Google Scholar
Mateos, GG, Rebollar, PG, De Blas, JC 2010. Minerals, vitamins and additives. In The nutrition of the rabbit, 2nd edition (ed. JC de Blas and J Wiseman), pp. 119–150. CABI Publishing CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Méndez, J, De Blas, JC, Fraga, MJ 1986. The effects of diet and remating interval after parturition on the reproductive performance of the commercial doe rabbit. Journal of Animal Science 86, 1624–1634.Google Scholar
Motta, W, Fraga, MJ, Carabaño, R 1996. Inclusion of grape pomace in substitution for alfalfa hay, in diets for growing rabbits. Animal Science 63, 167–174.Google Scholar
Mourao, JL, Pinheiro, V, Alves, A, Guedes, CM, Pinto, L, Saavedra, MJ, Spring, P, Kocher, A 2006. Effect of mannan oligosaccharides on the performance, intestinal morphology and cecal fermentation in rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology 126, 107–120.Google Scholar
Nicodemus, N, Carabaño, R, García, J, Méndez, J, De Blas, JC 1999a. Performance response of lactating and growing rabbits to dietary lignin content. Animal Feed Science and Technology 80, 43–54.Google Scholar
Nicodemus, N, Mateos, J, De Blas, JC, Carabaño, R, Fraga, MJ 1999b. Effect of diet on amino acid composition of soft faeces and the contribution of soft faeces to total amino acid intake, through caecotrophy in lactating doe rabbits. Animal Science 69, 167–170.Google Scholar
Nicodemus, N, Gutiérrez, I, García, J, Carabaño, R, De Blas, C 2002. The effect of remating interval and weaning age on the reproductive performance of rabbit does. Animal Research 51, 517–523.Google Scholar
Nicodemus, N, Pérez-Alba, L, Carabaño, R, De Blas, JC, Badiola, I, Pérez de Rozas, Aand García, J 2004. Effect of level of fibre and level of ground of fibre sources on digestion and ileal and caecal characterization of microbiota of early weaned rabbits. Proceedings of the 8th World Rabbit Congress, 7–10 September 2004, Puebla, México, p. 143 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Ortiz, V, De Blas, JC, Sanz, E 1989. Effect of dietary fiber and fat content on energy balance in fattening rabbits. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research 12, 159–162.Google Scholar
Partridge, GG, Findlay, M, Fordyce, RA 1986. Fat supplementation of diets for growing rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology 16, 109–117.Google Scholar
Partridge, GG, Garthwaite, PH, Findlay, M 1989. Protein and energy retention by growing rabbits offered diets with increasing proportions of fibre. Journal of Agricultural Science 112, 171–178.Google Scholar
Perez, JM 1994. Digestibilité et valeur énergétique des luzernes déshydratées pour le lapin: influence de leur composition chimique et de leur technologie de préparation. Proceedings of the 6e Journées de la Recherche Cunicole, 6–7 December 1994, La Rochelle, France, vol. 2, pp. 355–364.Google Scholar
Perez, JM, Gidenne, T, Lebas, F, Caudron, Y, Arveux, P, Boudillon, A, Duperray, J, Messager, B 1994. Apports de lignines et alimentation du lapin en croissance. 2. Conséquences sur les performances et la mortalité. Annales de Zootechnie 43, 323–332.Google Scholar
Portsmouth, JI 1977. The nutrition of the rabbits. In Nutrition and the climatic environment (ed. W Haresign, H Swan and D Lewis), pp. 93–111. Butterworths, London, UK.Google Scholar
Romero, C, Nicodemus, N, García-Rebollar, P, García-Ruiz, AI, Ibáñez, MA, de Blas, JC 2009a. Dietary level of fibre and age at weaning affect the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens in the caecum, the incidence of epizootic rabbit enteropathy and the performance of fattening rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology 153, 131–140.Google Scholar
Romero, C, Nicodemus, N, García-Ruiz, AI, Ibáñez, MA, de Blas, JC 2009b. The use of soft faeces for the prediction of the caecal contents concentration of Clostridium perfringens in relation with epizootic rabbit enteropathy. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 7, 807–812.Google Scholar
Santomá, G, De Blas, JC, Carabaño, R, Fraga, MJ 1987. The effects of different fats and their inclusion level in diets for growing rabbits. Animal Production 45, 291–300.Google Scholar
Santomá, G, De Blas, JC, Carabaño, R, Fraga, MJ 1989. Nutrition of rabbits. In Recent advances in animal nutrition (ed. W Haresign and DJA Cole), pp. 109–138. Butterworths, London, UK.Google Scholar
Scapinello, C, Gidenne, T, Fortun-Lamothe, L 1999. Digestive capacity of the rabbit during the post-weaning period, according to the milk/solid feed intake pattern before weaning. Reproduction Nutrition Development 39, 423–432.Google Scholar
Warner, A 1981. Rate of passage of digesta through the gut of mammals and birds. Nutrition Abstract and Review 51, 789–820.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G 1996. Nutrition of lactating does. In Proceedings of the 6th World Rabbit Congress (ed. F Lebas), pp. 175–180. Association Française de Cuniculture, Lempdes, France.Google Scholar
Xiccato, G 2006. Nutrition of the young and growing rabbit: a comparative approach with the doe. In Recent advances in rabbit sciences (ed. L Maertens and P Coudert), pp 239–246. ILVO, Merelbeke, Belgium.Google Scholar