The Effectiveness of Maize DDGS in Rabbit Diets / Efektywność zastosowania suszonego wywaru kukurydzianego w dietach dla królików

The development of biofuel production in the European Union is expected to increase the production of distillers grains, which can be a good feed material after concentration, centrifugation and drying. Research shows that dried distillers grains that meet microbiological and toxicological standards can be a nutritious feed for different species of animals. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of adding different levels (5 or 10%) of maize dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) to complete feeds on rearing performance and meat quality of young rabbits. The study was carried out with New Zealand White rabbits from weaning at 35 days to 90 days of age. The results obtained showed that the introduction of 5% DDGS to rabbit diets had no negative effect on rearing performance of rabbits from 35 to 90 days of age and on the quality of their meat. Despite using a detoxifier, the 10% level was hazardous to rabbits due to the high level of mycotoxins in the purchased DDGS and markedly decreased the quality of their meat. Therefore it appears necessary to analyse the distillers grains fed to this group of animals for mycotoxins, in particular to determine their safe levels for rabbits.