Effect of incorporation of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) in the diet of fattening rabbits.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the utilization of carob pods by rabbits and its effect on growth performance, health status and economic efficiency in fattening period. The analysis shows that our carob has a low content in CP (4,2%) but a high content in fiber (20,7%).For growth performances the use of carob separated or incorporated in rabbits diets improve feed intake of animals because of its high palatability without any effect on growth rate. However, carob has a positive effect on health status of animals by decreasing the problems of diarrhea after weaning. For digestibility carob improve the apparent digestibility of dry matter and organic matter but has a negative effect on proteins and fat digestibility. Therefore, Local raw materials as carob deserve to be studied more precisely, which could be considered as an alternative source in rabbit nutrition comparable to other more common ingredients such as barley and corn