title: Effect of alfalfa and dietary fiber on the growth performance of weanling rabbits.
abstract: The addition of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% sun-cured alfalfa meal to a high-energy, low-fiber, basal diet for weanling rabbits gave increased average daily gains as compared to gain on the basal diet. Deaths from enteritis complex occurred only at the 0% and 10% alfalfa levels. When 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% alfalfa meal were used, the average daily gains were numerically higher for all alfalfa-fed groups than for the basal diet. Maximum gains were achieved at the 20% alfalfa level. Alfalfa extracted with 95% ethanol retained its growth-stimulating effect when added to the basal diet. Feed preference trials gave conflicting results. In one trial, the basal diet was preferred over all alfalfa  diets in a two-choice feed preference test, while in a second trial, all alfalfa diets were preferred over the basal diet. It was concluded that the growth of weaning rabbits fed a high energy diet was improved by the addition of alfalfa meal.
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002482:Cellulose; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D000455:Medicago sativa; D011817:Rabbits / Q000254:growth & development*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D002482:Cellulose