title: Performance of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) on commercial rations and varying dietary protein levels.
abstract: The growth performance of 24 weanling giant rats was studied in 2 experiments of 30 weeks duration with commercial livestock rations and graded levels of protein. Daily average liveweight gain was 5.1-7.3 g, food consumption 26.9-36.3 g on 6 diets. Food intake, growth rate and food efficiency ratio were very similar using the different commercial diets. Growth performance improved as the dietary protein level was raised from 10 to 13%, but a further increase to 16% did not result in greater growth. The commercial pig ration and the experimental diet containing 13% dietary protein level were found to give satisfactory growth, and are recommended for studies with these animals.
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D051381:Rats / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins