Growth performance of growing rabbits fed components of paddy rice as energy sources in basal diets of Operculina turpethum  or Operculina turpethum mixed with water spinach

Nguyen Huu Tam, Bui Phan Thu Hang, Vo Lam  and T R Preston*

Angiang University, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Vietnam
bpthang@agu.edu.vn
^*UTA (Colombia), Socorro, Santander, Colombia

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate growth rate in rabbits to levels of paddy rice given as a supplement to either Operculina turpethum mixed with water spinach or Operculina turpethum alone. Thirty- two weaned crossbred rabbits (New Zealand x local female) 8 weeks of age were used. The design was a 2*4 factorial the factors being: (i) Operculina turpethum (OT) or mixed 50:50 with water spinach (OW); (ii) components of paddy rice (paddy rice, rice grain+bran, rice grain+bran+husk, rice grain) as supplements at (g/day): 20, 16, (16+4), and 14, respectively. The study lasted 8 weeks. Daily weight gain of rabbits were lowest on rice grain as the supplement.

Key words: paddy rice, rice grain, rice bran, rice husk, supplement