Influence of protein source and level on the utilization of proximate nutrients by the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse).

Abstract

16 African giant rats received in four groups over a period of 28 days a diet with a crude protein content of 20% based on groundnut cake (diet 1), palmkernel cake (diet 2), and a diet with a crude protein content of 17% based on palmkernel cake (diet 3), or 24% crude protein based on groundnut cake (diet 4). The best results were obtained by diet 2 with 12.3 g liveweight gain per day and 2.1 g feed/g liveweight gain. Diets 2 and 3 had a significantly higher liveweight gain per gram protein utilized. Diet 1 caused a significantly lower digestibility of the dry matter, the crude protein, the crude fibre, and the nitrogen-free extractive. Diet 2 yielded the most favourable protein source in economic terms.