HYDROPONIC GREEN FORAGE IN DEHYDRATED MAIZE (Zea mays) IN FATTENING IN NEW ZEALAND RABBITS (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

The present work was carried out in The Mamey sector, city of Babahoyo, Los Ríos province, whose geographical location is: 0.1º of South Latitude and 79º 32” of West Central Latitude at a height of 5 meters above sea level. The field work lasted 56 days and the objectives were as follows objectives: To determine the increment of weight in fattening of New Zealand rabbits under the effect of the consumption of Hydroponic Green Maize (HGFC) and its profitability. 32 New Zealand rabbits of 45 days of age were used, with a weight average of 961.7 g. A Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was applied with four replications. The evaluated treatments were: T0: I Saboya pasture + balanced food (Tester); T1: 12 hours dehydrated HGFC + balanced food; T2: 24 hours dehydrated HGFC + balanced food and T3: 36 hours dehydrated HGFC + balanced food. For the comparisons among means, Tukey test was used (P≤0.05). The Relationship Benefit - Cost was applied in order to obtain the treatments profitability. The consumption of HGFC (g) and food (g), gain of weight (g), food conversion, weight (g) and yield to the channel (%) were evaluated. The biggest (P<0.05) consumption of forage (14.14 - 13.94 g animal day-1 of DM), yield to the channel (55.65 - 53.74%) and more efficient Relationship Benefit - Cost (0.69 - 0.64) were obtained when providing dehydrated HGFC between 24 and 36 hours plus balanced food. The final weight, the gain of weight and the nutritious conversion were not affected (P>0.05).