The growth performance of 24 weanling giant rats was studied in 2 experiments of 30 weeks duration with commercial livestock rations and graded levels of protein. Daily average liveweight gain was 5·1-7·3 g, food consumption 26·9-36·3 g on 6 diets. Food intake, growth rate and food efficiency ratio were very similar using the different commercial diets. Growth performance improved as the dietary protein level was raised from 10 to 13%, but a further increase to 16% did not result in greater growth. The commercial pig ration and the experimental diet containing 13% dietary protein level were found to give satisfactory growth, and are recommended for studies with these animals.
Effects of dietary protein level on growth and body composition of New Zealand White rabbits