It was a complete randomized design with six treatments and three replicates, which was implemented with
different levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) at 37, 41, 45, 49, 53 and 57% corresponding to the treatments of
NDF37, NDF41, NDF45, NDF49, NDF53 and NDF57, respectively to evaluate growth performance and nutrient
digestibility of growing crossbred rabbits for applications. Two female and two male rabbits at 54 days of age
were allocated in one experimental unit. The results showed that in Exp 1 the dry matter (DM) and organic
matter (OM) intakes were significantly increased (Pcrude protein (CP) intake was the lowest value in the NDF57 diet (Psignificantly increased (Psignificantly decreased (Pthan this in theNDF45, NDF49, NDF53 and NDF57ones, however, the lower feed conversion ratio was found
(PNDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) decreased when levels of NDF increased in the diets (Pintake of NDF37 treatment was higher than that of the NDF57 one (P(g/kgW0.75) of rabbits hada linear relationship with the NDF levels (%) with y=-0.008x + 1.21 (R2= 0.928,
P=0.002 and SE=0.020). It was concluded that increasing levels of NDF in the diets of the meat rabbits reduced
daily weight gain and nutrient digestibility andat a level of 41 % NDF in diet gave better growth performance
and dietary nutrient utilization.
Keywords: daily weight gain, digestibility, growing rabbit and neutral detergent fiber.