GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS COMPOSITION OF RABBITS FED ON DIETS OF GRADUAL LEVELS OF BARLEY GRAIN

Forty-eight male New Zealand White rabbits of 6 weeks age (BW 875 ± 28.3 g) were randomly allocated among six groups in different levels of barley grains (BG); 0 (B0), 5 (B5), 10 (B10), 15 (B15), 20 (B20), 25% (B25) of the total diet on growth performance and carcass composition of rabbits . The highest live BW value (P < 0.05) was obtained in B20 rabbits, whereas the highest feed intake (P < 0.05) value was obtained in B25 rabbits followed by those fed on the other diets. The better-feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained in B20 rabbits followed by those of B15 and B25. Animals of B20 had better FCR than those of the other experimental diets. The relative contribution of soft feces to dry matter or crude protein intake differed (P < 0.05) among the experimental diets. The caecal turnover rate was increased (P < 0.05) in B15 and B20 rabbits than those other diets. The per-slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weight and dressing percentage were differed (P < 0.05) among the experimental groups and highest values were recorded in B20 rabbits. Data suggested that a partial replacement of corn grains (CG) by 20% BG in rabbit diets was increased live body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio.