Kadi et al., 2004. Proceedings - 8th World Rabbit Congress – September 7-10, 2004 – Puebla, Mexico: 1202-1207

Two pelleted diets were distributed, during 8 weeks, to two groups of 15 fattening 5 weeks old rabbits (653 g). The first (control diet) is the only one rabbit feed available on the market and used by breeders. The second (experimental diet) is formulated to contain the minimum of ingredients and the maximum of low-cost by-products available locally in order to come back cheap; it contains 61% of hard wheat bran,20% of crude olive cake and 18% soybean meal + 1% minerals. Commercial diet contained 10% hard wheat bran, 26.5% soybean meal, 13.3% barley, 13.3% maize 41.8% alfalfa hay +1% minerals. There was not significant difference on the main parameters of growth and slaughtering. The obtained performances were 24.7 g/d of growth, 77.5 g/d of feed intake and 24.1 g/d of growth, 87.0 g/d of feed intake (significantly higher than control P<0.05), respectively for the control group and the experimental diet. Final weight was 2035 and 2039 g for the control and olive cake diet. The slaughter yield was better (P<0.05) with the experimental diet (68.2 % vs 66.6%) in relation with a smaller full digestive tract at slaughter time 278 vs 330 g, P<0.05). Crude olive cake can be included in diets of fattening rabbits in total replacement of the alfalfa hay as source of fiber and in addition, in the Algerian conditions, it reduced the cost of 1 kg of carcass.