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Effects of temperature and diet on the water and energy metabolism of growing rabbits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

L. M. Jin ,
E. Thomson  and
D. J. Farrell
L. M. Jin
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
E. Thomson
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
D. J. Farrell
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
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Summary

Water and energy metabolism were measured in six growing female New Zealand White rabbits placed individually in metabolism cages within chambers at 20 or 30 °C and offered a diet high (H) or low (L) in roughage. For water balance measurements, feed intake was higher at 20 °C than at 30 °C; mean water balance of rabbits on diet L was 7 g/day at 20 °C and 36 g/day at 30 °C. Total daily water consumption was 84–96 g/kg body weight (W), and the ratio of free water to feed intake was 1·6:1 at 20 °C and 2·3:1 at 30 °C.

Calorimetric measurements showed no differences in energy metabolism of rabbits due to diet or temperature. Metabolizable energy needed for maintenance was 357 kJ/kg W0·75 per day and was used with an efficiency of 0·44 for weight gain.

Type
Animals
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 115 , Issue 1 , August 1990 , pp. 135 - 140
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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