LAUSR

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of partially replacing alfalfa hay with carrot tops (Daucus carota) in diets for broiler rabbits. The assay was composed of 30 New Zealand rabbits, weaned at 35 days of age, divided into 3 groups and submitted to one of three dietary treatments: T0CT – Diet without the inclusion of carrot tops; T25CT - diet with replacement of alfalfa hay by 25% carrot tops; and T50CT - diet with replacement of alfalfa hay by 50% carrot tops. Water and feed were offered ad libitum. The biological assay lasted for 49 days and took place during the months of December and January (summer season). The following parameters were evaluated: weight gain, feed conversion, feed intake and economic viability of the diet. Means were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test (0.05). The average daily weight gain of the rabbits was 23.93 g for T0CT, 22.65 g for T25CT and 22.16 for T50CT (p>0.05). Feed intake was 86.71 g in T0CT, 88.43 g in T25CT and 89.57 g in T50CT (p>0.05). The feed conversion ratio was 3.62 for T0CT, 3.09 for T25CT and 4.04 for T50CT (p>0.05). The cost per kg of diet linearly reduced with the inclusion carrot tops, and the T0CT diet was the most expensive (R$ 0.74/kg or US$0.22) and T50CT (R$ 0.60/kg or US$0.18) the most economically viable. It can be concluded that carrot tops can replace up to 50% of the alfalfa hay in diets for growing broiler rabbits, optimizing the cost of diet without negatively affecting animal performance.