Substituting starch with digestible fiber does not impact on health status or growth in restricted fed rabbits

Abstract Post-weaning feed restriction strategies have proved to reduce mortality and morbidity in rabbits, but result in decreased growth and lower slaughter yield that can be partially compensated for with the use of a high energy diet. To further optimize the feeding strategies we have studied the possibility of substituting starch with digestible fibers in high energy diets fed restricted. In four experimental sites, rabbits were divided into four equal groups (n = 418/group) differing in digestible fiber to starch ratio (ST = 1.21 vs DF = 2.29), and feeding level ( ad libitum or restricted at 75%) according to a 2 × 2 experimental design. Animals were fed the experimental diets from weaning (35 days of age) to slaughter (70–74 days of age), and feed restriction was applied from 35 to 63 days of age. Digestive efficiency was assessed during feed restriction in 48 animals and carcass and meat quality measurements were performed (n = 380). Restricted feeding reduced the growth by 9% on the whole fattening period (P  vs 14.7%, P