Sun-dried Stylo Hay (Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184) as Dietary Fibre Source in Rabbits

Background: In West Africa, one of the main problem of rabbit production is the lack of fibre-balanced feeds available at remunerative price, as the supply of fibrous raw material remains difficult. Expensive fibrous raw materials imported from temperate countries are the most fibre source used in rabbit feed formulation. This study aimed to assess the nutritive value and the potential use of Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184, a local fodder, as dietary fibre source in rabbit feed. Methods: Four diets containing an inclusion of Stylo hay: 0% (control, SH0), 15% (SH15), 30% (SH30) and 45% (SH45) as a substitute for the control diet (33.3 g NDF and 170 g CP/kg) were studied. Four groups of 12 rabbits, individually caged, were fed ad libitum the 4 diets, from weaning (35 days) to 78 days age. Result: Replacing up to 45% the basal diet with Stylo hay reduced nutrients digestibility (P less than 0.001). The digestible protein (DP) contain of Stylo hay was 36±0.57 g/kg DM. The inclusion of Stylo up to 30% in the diet improved animals growth rate compared to the control diet. Health status and slaughter traits were not affected by Stylo incorporation. It was concluded that sun-dried Stylo hay could be considered as a good fibre source in the complete pellet feed for rabbits in West Africa.