Acceptability of diets with increasing levels of mulberry ( Morus alba ) in weaned rabbits

The acceptability of diets with increasing levels of mulberry ( Morus alba ) in weaned rabbits was evaluated. Forty eight new Zealand x California rabbits (736.97±75.42 g of live weight) were distributed in four treatments and 12 repetitions. The treatments were: T1= feed commercial in form of flour (FCF); T2= FCF + 10% of mulberry foliage (MF) + 8% of molasses; T3= FCF + 20% MF + 8% of molasses; T4= FCF + 30% MF + 8% of molasses. The consumption of the diets was measured during 12 days and the number of consumption intents every ten minutes for one hour after the supply. Analysis of variance for complete randomly design was applied and the averages were compared using Tukey test. For the diets consumption there were not differences (P>0.05) among treatments (730 ± 101; 666 ± 95; 623 ± 152; 605 ± 130 g/rabbit for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). The number of consumption intents was higher (P0,05) between both variables. The mulberry inclusion did not affect the consumption of the diet. It is recommended to carry out digestive and of animal response tests with diets that contain mulberry. Se evaluó la aceptabilidad de dietas con niveles crecientes de morera ( Morus alba ) en conejos destetados. Se utilizaron 48 conejos de mestizaje Nueva Zelanda x California (736,91±75,42 g de peso vivo), distribuidos en cuatro tratamientos y 12 repeticiones. Los tratamientos fueron: T1= Alimento concentrado comercial en forma de harina (CFH); T2= CFH + 10% de harina de follaje de morera (FM) + 8% de melaza; T3= CFH + 20% FM + 8% de melaza; T4= CFH + 30% FM + 8% de melaza. Se midió durante 12 días el consumo de las dietas y el número de intentos de consumo cada diez minutos por una hora después del suministro. Se aplicó análisis de varianza de una vía y los promedios se compararon mediante la prueba de Tukey. El consumo de las dietas no presentó diferencias (P>0,05) entre tratamientos (730 ± 101; 666 ± 95; 623 ± 152; 605 ± 130 g/conejo para T1, T2, T3 y T4, respectivamente). El número de intentos de consumo fue mayor (P0,05) entre ambas variables. Se concluye que la inclusión de morera en los niveles estudiados no afectó el consumo de la dieta. Se recomienda realizar pruebas de