Sustitución parcial del alimento balanceado comercial por Thitonia diversifolia y su efecto sobre el desempeño productivo de conejos en fase de engorde.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the partial substitution of commercial balanced feed with Thitonia diversifolia on the productive performance and feeding costs in rabbits in the fattening phase. Twenty rabbits of the New Zealand White, Red and Chinchilla breeds were used with 28 days of age and average initial weight of 765g. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design in five treatments and four repetitions. The treatments were: a control group (commercial concentrate) and four levels of substitution of commercial balanced feed for Thitonia diversifolia in the diet, Td5%, Td10%, Td15% and Td20%. No differences were found for final body weight (PCF) , daily weight gain (GDP), Fat, weight in PC carcass and performance in RC carcass (p <0.05). For feed conversion (CA), feed efficiency (EA) and pigmentation (PIG) there was a treatment effect (p> 0.05) being the best mean for the control group. The inclusion of Thitonia diversifolia caused a positive linear effect (p <0.10) on the weight of the viscera. The economic analysis shows a cost for food per kilogram of meat produced more economically in the Td20% while the INCP and INCC presented the best values in the control group. It is concluded that the inclusion of T. diversifolia in different percentages as a replacement for commercial balanced feed does not affect the productive performance of rabbits in the fattening phase, substantially reducing production costs.