Rabbit Feeding and Nutrition

ForewordPreface1 The Nature of Rabbit Production I. Role of Rabbits and Other Livestock in World Agriculture II. Attributes of Rabbits for Efficient Food Production III. Microlivestock—A New Frontier in Animal Production IV. Factors Limiting Rabbit Production References2 General Principles of Rabbit Nutrition I. Proteins II. Carbohydrates III. Lipids IV. Minerals V. Vitamins VI. Roles of Nutrients VII. History of Rabbit Nutrition Research References3 Digestive Physiology I. Classification Based on Feeding Behavior II. Classification Based on Digestive Tract Physiology III. Comparative Digestive Strategies of Herbivores IV. Anatomy and Functions of the Rabbit Digestive Tract V. Digesta Flow (Transit) in the Gut VI. Microbiology of the Digestive Tract VII. Comparative Digestive Efficiency References4 Protein and Amino Acid Nutrition I. Protein Structure and Synthesis II. Amino Acids in Rabbit Nutrition III. Protein Quality IV. Protein Requirements for Growth and Lactation V. Digestion of Protein VI. Digestibility of Proteins in the Rabbit VII. Nonprotein Nitrogen (NPN) Utilization VIII. Factors Influencing Protein Requirements References5 Energy Metabolism and Requirements I. Energy Categories and Measurement II. Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) III. Basics of Cellular Metabolism IV. Cellular Metabolism of Carbohydrates V. Factors Influencing Energy Requirements References6 Carbohydrates and Fiber I. Classification of Carbohydrates II. Readily Available Carbohydrates in Rabbit Nutrition III. Digestion of Carbohydrates IV. Fiber in Rabbit Nutrition References7 Fats I. Chemical Characteristics of Fats II. Digestion and Absorption of Fats III. Use of Fat in Rabbit Diets IV. Rancidity of Fats V. Essential Fatty Acids References8 Mineral Nutrition of Rabbits I. Calcium II. Phosphorus III. Magnesium IV. Potassium V. Sodium and Chlorine VI. Manganese VII. Zinc VIII. Iron IX. Copper X. Molybdenum XI. Selenium XII. Iodine XIII. Cobalt XIV. Chromium XV. Some Concluding Comments References9 Vitamins I. Vitamin A II. Vitamin D III. Vitamin Ε IV. Vitamin Κ V. Β-Complex Vitamins VI. Vitamin C VII. Some Concluding Comments References10 Water: Functions and Requirements I. Properties and Functions of Water II. Water Compartments of the Body III. Water Requirements IV. Nutrients and Toxic Elements in Water References11 Feeding Behavior and Regulation of Feed Intake I. Ingestive Behavior of the Rabbit II. Factors Affecting Feed Intake III. Factors Affecting Feed Conversion Efficiency IV. Feed Restriction References12 Nutrition-Disease Interrelationships I. Enteritis II. Milk Enterotoxemia III. Cecal Impaction (Mucoid Enteritis) IV. Tyzzer's Disease V. Coccidiosis VI. Pregnancy Toxemia VII. Other Diseases with a Nutrition Involvement References13 Feed Analysis I. Dry Matter II. Crude Protein III. Crude Fiber IV. Ether Extract V. Ash VI. Nitrogen-Free Extract (NFE) VII. Estimation of Feed Energy VIII. Feeding Trials IX. Digestibility Trials X. Measurement of Transit Time References14 Feedstuffs for Rabbits I. Properties and Classification of Feedstuffs II. Roughages III. Concentrates IV. Protein Sources V. Nonnutritive Feed Additives References15 Toxins in Feeds I. Natural Versus Synthetic Toxins II. Metabolism of Toxins by Animals III. Classes of Natural Toxins References16 Ration Formulation I. Nutrient Requirements of Rabbits II. Mathematics of Ration Formulation III. Open Versus Closed Diet Formulas IV. Quality Control of Diets V. Specific Problems in Rabbit Ration Formulation References17 Feeding Rabbits for Various Productive Functions I. Nutrient Requirements and Diets for Growth II. Gestation-Lactation Diets III. Complementary Diets IV. Nonpelleted Diets V. Rex Fur Production VI. Angora Wool Production VII. Feeding Rabbits for Exhibition VIII. Feeding Laboratory Rabbits References18 Nutrition of Wild Rabbits and Hares I. Digestive Physiology II. Feeding Behavior and Food Selection III. Nutrient Requirements IV. Nutritional Effects on Reproduction References19 Nutrition of Guinea Pigs I. Nutrient Requirements II. Responses to Dietary Toxins III. Examples of Adequate Diets References20 Nutrition of the CapybaraAppendix 1 Table of Feed CompositionAppendix 2 Organ Weight in Relation to Body WeightIndex