Dietary Fibres Requirements of Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) at the Growth and Fattening Stages
K. J. B. Alla *
Animal Physiology and Production Research Unit, Environment, Climate, Health, Engineering and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University of Korhogo, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
Y. M. Yapi
Laboratory of Animal Science and Animal Production, Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY National Polytechnic Institute, Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
K. S. Kouadio
Institute of Agropastoral Management, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
M. Kimsé
Animal Production Research Unit, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NANGUI ABROGOUA University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
D. Soro
Animal Production Research Unit, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NANGUI ABROGOUA University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The study aims to demonstrate the importance of dietary fibre for young cane rats’ digestive health.
Study Design: Completely randomised controlled feeding trial.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Animal Science and Animal Production, Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY National Polytechnic Institute, Yamoussoukro.
Methodology: Thirty-six cane rats aged 42 ± 9 days with an average live weight of 393 ± 92g were used. They were divided into three batches of 12 animals. Three complete iso-protein pelleted diets containing 16% crude protein with three levels of fibre (17, 19 and 21% Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF)) were tested on young cane rats from weaning to 6 months of age. Each batch of animals was assigned to one diet. Health and zootechnical parameters, as well as carcass characteristics, were measured according to diet.
Results: At the end of the experiment, there was no mortality or morbidity regardless of diet. The feed containing 21% ADF reduced the animals’ weight gain by 25% (P=.007) and 12.5% (P=.04) during the growth and fattening phases, respectively. The feeds containing 17% and 19% ADF yielded the best values for feed conversion (P=.007), average daily gain (P=3.6 x 10 -4) and carcass yields.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the fibre content of complete pelleted diets for young cane rats should be between 17% and 19 % ADF during the growth and fattening stages.
Keywords: Lignocellulose, complete pelleted feed, growth, fattening, Thryonomys swinderianus