Two experiments were carried out to study the effect of the normal (15%) or high (24%) starch level on the digestibility and performance in growing rabbits from four feeding patterns until weaning. For the digestibility assay, 96 White New Zealand from 35 to 49 days of age, were allotted to a factorial design 2x2x2 (two milk intake patterns versus two starch levels before weaning versus two starch levels in diet after weaning), with eight treatments and 12 replicates. Animals from greater litters presented the best NDF digestibility coefficient. The higher starch level in diets before weaning increased the coefficient digestibility of gross energy after weaning. The high starch level in diet after weaning increased the digestive utilization of dry matter and protein. In the performance trial, 288 White New Zealand rabbit from 35 to 70 days of age were assigned to a 2x2x2 factorial design (two milk intake patterns versus two starch levels in diets before weaning versus two starch levels in diet after weaning), with eight treatments, 18 replicates and two animals in each experimental unit. Rabbits from litters with eight young rabbits presented the smaller live weight at 50 days of age, however, at 70 days old there was no difference on live weight of the animals maintained in litters with four or eight young rabbits. The animals from litters with eight young rabbits, at 50 days and 70 days of age, showed the best feed conversion and the smaller daily feed intake, independently of starch level in the diets. Animals fed diets with high starch level before weaning presented greater live weight at 50 days and at 70 days of age.
digestive utilization; litter size; performance; starch in diet
