Fecal and ileal digestibility of rabbits' diets with different fiber sources

Two experiments using White New Zealand rabbits were carried out with the objective to evaluate the effect of five fiber sources on the fecal and illeal digestibility. The standard diet had alfalfa hay as the main source of fiber, which was replaced isometrically by: pigeon pea hay, bean straw, straw and cob of white corn and coast cross hay. Total feces were collected for digestibility determination. The results indicate that the fecal digestibility of experimental diets were affected by the use of different sources of fiber. The diet with straw and cob of white corn showed the highest value to digestibility coefficient of protein, while digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and gross energy were significantly lower than the other treatments. To determinate ileum digestibility female rabbits were fistulated in the ileum, and chromic oxide, lignin and acid detergent fiber were used as indicators. The results obtained for digestibility of dry matter, protein and organic matter showed values significantly different among the indicators, with lignin showing more consistent result as indicators for ileum digestibility.