Utilización de la harina de algarrobo (prosopis pállida) en la alimentación de conejos en crecimiento, engorde

The use of carob flour was evaluated, partially replacing the corn in the balanced feed with levels of 7, 14 and 21%, for the Feeding of growing and fattening rabbits. A completely randomized design with 40 New Zealand rabbits distributed in the three treatments based on locust bean meal versus a control treatment was used, with 5 replicates and the size of the experimental unit was one animal per cage. At the end of the investigation it was determined that the best final weight and the best weight gain was recorded at the level of 14% of carob flour with 2,775 and 2.277 kg. Regarding food consumption the best responses were recorded at the levels 14 and 21% with 5,591 and 5.473 kg Dry Weight (DW). The most efficient feed conversion with 2.469 and the best yield to the channel with 64.51% was also for the 14 % level. Regarding the sex factor, there was supremacy of males in relation to females in the final weight, weight gain, feed conversion and weight to the carcass. Regarding the indicator profit / cost the best profit was for level 14% with 1:33. Therefore it is recommended the use of 14% of locust bean meal in substitution of corn for the feeding of rabbits in the stages of growth and fattening