Animal Nutrition: Nutritional Physiology of Rabbits

Questions and Answers

Rabbit is able to utilize proteins efficiently in ______ plants.

forage

Sufficient levels of lysine, methionine and ______ are needed in the diet of growing rabbits.

arginine

Does milk is high in ______.

calcium

The bacterial action in the cecum and colon renders plant ______ available.

phosphorus Signup and view all the answers

At birth, rabbits have a very large ______ reserve.

iron Signup and view all the answers

Protection against peroxide damage appears to be more dependent on vitamin ______ than on selenium in the rabbit.

E Signup and view all the answers

Utilization of cobalt by the bacterial flora for synthesis of vitamin ______ is much more efficient in the rabbit than in ruminants.

B12 Signup and view all the answers

Requirements for various members of the vitamin ______ complex are partially or even completely satisfied through the routine practice of caecotrophy.

B Signup and view all the answers

Fat soluble vitamins should be supplemented through ______.

diet Signup and view all the answers

Phytate phosphorus is well utilized in ______.

rabbits Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nutritional Physiology of Rabbits

Rabbits are monogastric herbivores with a specialized hindgut comprising an enlarged caecum and colon.
Undigested nutrients from the small intestine are fermented in the caecum, making rabbits hindgut fermenters.
Rabbit diets consist of roughages and concentrates, leading to high feed intake and rapid digestive transit.

Digestive System of Rabbits

The upper digestive tract in rabbits functions similarly to other monogastric mammals.
A unique feature is the dual function of the proximate colon, where liquid fractions are absorbed and solid waste is formed.
Hard faeces are excreted primarily as lignin and cellulose, requiring roughage to maintain intestinal health.

Caecotrophy in Rabbits

Rabbits produce two types of faeces: hard and soft (caecotrophes).
Hard faeces are rich in large particles (lignin and cellulose), while soft faeces contain B-complex vitamins, bacterial protein, and volatile fatty acids.
Ingestion of soft faeces directly from the anus is termed caecotrophy, crucial for B-vitamin supply.

Nutrient Composition of Hard and Soft Faeces

Hard Faeces Dry Matter: 47%
Soft Faeces Dry Matter: 34%
Hard Faeces Crude Protein: 17%, Soft Faeces Crude Protein: 30%
Hard Faeces Crude Fiber: 30%, Soft Faeces Crude Fiber: 18%

Digestibility of Nutrients

Rabbit digestibility of protein from forages is higher than in other herbivores.
Fibre digestibility is lower in rabbits compared to other herbivores, with less energy contribution from fibrous sources.

Fermentation in the Caecum

Caecal contents consist of 60-70% acetic acid, 15-20% butyric acid, and 10-15% propionic acid.
Rabbits derive up to 40% of maintenance energy from volatile fatty acids produced during fermentation.
Gut bacteria synthesize sufficient B-complex vitamins and vitamin K, negating the need for dietary inclusion.

Energy in Rabbit Diets

Energy content is a key factor influencing feed intake, necessary for maintenance, growth, gestation, and lactation.
Primary energy sources are carbohydrates and fats, efficiently digested by rabbits.

Carbohydrates

Source of energy comes from starch, sugars, and digestible fibre.
Rabbits effectively digest starch from cereal grains without significant issues.

Fibre

Rabbit diets should contain at least 15% crude fibre to support intestinal health and motility.
Indigestible fibre is vital for digestive system function, especially in growing rabbits.
Low-fiber diets can lead to intestinal problems, while high-fiber diets risk cecal impaction.

Lipids

Dietary fat concentrations typically range from 2% to 2.5%, necessary for essential fatty acids.
In intensive systems, fat may be increased from 1% to 3%; added especially in lactating does' diets to enhance energy.
Fat supplementation for weaning rabbits may improve body condition and immune system development.

Protein and Amino Acids

Adequate dietary essential amino acids are crucial for rapid growth in rabbits.
Bacterial protein synthesis in the caecum contributes minimally to essential amino acid needs in young rabbits, aiding nitrogen equilibrium in adults.
Key amino acids for growing rabbits include lysine, methionine, and arginine.

Minerals

Lactating does require higher dietary calcium due to calcium-rich milk.
Bacterial activity makes plant phosphorus bioavailable; phytate phosphorus is efficiently utilized.
Newborn rabbits have significant iron reserves, reducing dependency on dietary iron initially.
Vitamin E is more critical than selenium for protecting against peroxide damage.
Rabbits utilize cobalt efficiently for B12 synthesis through gut bacteria.

Vitamins

B-complex vitamin requirements are partially met through caecotrophy practices.
Fat-soluble vitamins should be supplemented in the diet for optimal health.

Description

This quiz focuses on the nutritional physiology of rabbits, emphasizing the significance of energy, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins in their diets. It provides insights into how these nutrients affect the health and wellbeing of monogastric herbivores. Assess your knowledge on the dietary needs of rabbits.