Sweet potato vines in diets for growing rabbits on performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality

Abstract

The use of residues as substitutes for conventional ingredients in animal feed is a promising alternative able to reduce both costs and environmental pollution. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of using sweet potato vines (SPV) as a replacement for alfalfa hay in diets for growing rabbits. The performance, carcass characteristics, meat composition and metabolic parameters of the liver were evaluated in 30 New Zealand rabbits weaned at 35 days old and an average weight of 900 g. The animals were allotted into three dietary groups: 0SPV, control diet without SPV; 50SPV, diet with 50% replacement of alfalfa hay by SPV; 100SPV, diet with 100% replacement of alfalfa hay by SPV. The animals were slaughtered at 77 days of age. The liver was collected for analysis of glucose and hepatic glycogen and meat samples were collected for analysis of the chemical composition. The data obtained were statistically compared by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test (0.05). None of the analyzed variables presented differences. It can be concluded, therefore, that SPV may be used as a substitute for alfalfa hay up to 100% in diets for rabbits without impairing the performance and meat composition.

Can banana peel and sweet potato vines have efficient in diets for growing rabbits?

“…Studies performed Falcone et al (2020) already indicated the possibility of using BP to replace maize in rabbit diets. Similarly, Klinger et al, (2018) demonstrated that SPV can be used in place of alfalfa hay. Both authors report that the use of these ingredients is feasible and that they can replace conventional ingredients by 100%.…”

“…In developing countries, most ingredients used in rabbit farming are grown in agricultural areas which could be used to grow food for human population (Klinger et al, 2018). In this scenario, it is not logical for ingredients such as alfalfa hay and corn be used to feed rabbits in famine-stricken countries.…”

Economic viability of banana peel and sweet potato vines in diets for rabbits

“…Most of the ingredients used in animal diets occupy agricultural areas that could be used to produce food for the human population (Klinger et al, 2018). In this scenario, it is not rational to use traditional ingredients -such as maize and alfalfa hay -in animal feed in countries that need food, since the productive potential of vegetables is subject to stagnation, just as the mobilization of arable land is subject to limited and has shown strong signs of deterioration over the last few years.…”