Forty eight adult male German Angora rabbits were divided randomly into three equal groups and offered concentrate @150 g/day in mash form along with conventional roughage (T1 - control group), oat (T2) and tall fescue (T3) ad lib throughout the experimental period of 75days. After 70 days of experiment, a five days digestibility trial was conducted. Body weights of the rabbits were similar in the three groups. Wool yield was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in T2 and T3 as compared to T1 (control) reflecting positive effects of the test fodders. Wool quality parameters viz staple length, fiber diameter and guard hair were not affected. Concentrate intake was similar in all the groups, whereas roughage intake was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in test groups as compared to control. Total dry matter intake per day was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in test groups (163.1 in T2 and 170.7g in T3) as compared to control (148.6g). The digestibility of CF, NFE, ADF and cellulose was highest in T2 followed by T3 and T1 groups while digestibility of EE was highest in T3 followed by T2 and T1 groups. Dry matter intake per 100g wool production was almost similar in all three groups. It was concluded that oat and tall fescue were better fodders than conventional roughage for feeding and higher wool production in Angora rabbits.
Angora rabbit, Digestibility, Oat, Tall fescue, Wool production
