Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding rabbits with silkworm pupae and mealworm larvae meals on their performance indicators. Ninety (90) rabbits were divided into three groups. Control group (C) was fed with 10% soybean meal (SBM), SPM group received the diet including 5 % SBM and 4 % of silkworm pupae meal, and MLM group received the diet including 5 % SBM and 4 % of mealworm larvae meal. The body weight of rabbits and average daily gains were determined. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. At the end of fattening period, the animals were euthanized, skinned and eviscerated to determine their carcasses characteristic. Hind leg and loin muscles were collected for analyses of the chemical composition. At the end of fattening period, rabbits from groups SPM and MLM were heavier than C rabbits (2,606.5 and 2,584.8 vs 2,404.0 g), which also improved their overall carcass characteristic while FCR was similar between groups. However, feeding rabbits with the addition of insect's meals increased the amount of ether extract in their muscles. Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that SBM may be partially replaced by silkworm pupae and mealworm larvae meals in rabbit diets.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el efecto de la alimentación de conejos con harinas de pupas de gusanos de seda y larvas de gusanos de la harina sobre sus indicadores de rendimiento. Se dividieron noventa (90) conejos en tres grupos. El grupo testigo (T) fue alimentado con un 10% de harina de soya (HS), el grupo HS recibió una dieta que incluía un 5% de HS y un 4% de harina de pupas de gusanos de seda, y el grupo HLGH recibió una dieta que incluía un 5% de HS y un 4% de harina de larvas de gusanos de seda. Se determinó el peso corporal de los conejos y la ganancia media diaria. Se calculó el índice de conversión alimenticia (ICA). Al final del periodo de engorde, los animales fueron sometidos a eutanasia, desollados y eviscerados para determinar las características de sus canales. Se recogieron los músculos del pernil y del lomo para analizar la composición química. Al final del período de engorde, los conejos de los grupos HS y HLGH eran más pesados que los conejos T (2.606,5 y 2.584,8 frente a 2.404,0 g), lo que también mejoró las características generales de la canal, mientras que el ICA fue similar en los diversos grupos. Sin embargo, el alimentar a los conejos con harinas adicionadas con insectos aumentó la cantidad de extracto etéreo en sus músculos. Con base en los resultados obtenidos, se puede concluir que en las dietas de los conejos se puede sustituir parcialmente la harina de soya con las harinas de pupas de gusanos de seda y de larvas de gusanos de harina.

RESUMO Nos últimos anos, observa-se uma tendência de eliminar farelo de soja (SBM) da dieta dos coelhos. Uma hipótese foi feita em que a mistura composta por farelo de canola (RSM), semente de tremoço branco (WLS) e semente de ervilha (PS) pode substituir o SBM em dietas de coelhos sem comprometer o crescimento e parâmetros fisiológicos. Para verificar esta hipótese, analisou-se determinados parâmetros que descrevem o tempo de crescimento dos coelhos, os parâmetros de sangue e de abate, assim como a função do contra-ângulo. O ensaio foi realizado em noventa coelhos HYPLUS. Os animais do grupo de controle (C) foram alimentados com dieta contendo 15% de SBM. A dieta no primeiro grupo experimental (E1) foi composta por 7,5% de SBM, 5,0% de RSM, 4,0% de WLS e 3,0% de PS. Na dieta do segundo grupo experimental (E2), o SBM foi totalmente substituído por RSM, WLS e PS. A substituição não teve impacto negativo relevante sobre o crescimento dos coelhos, em parâmetros morfológicos e bioquímicos de sangue, nem sobre características das carcaças. Os parâmetros comparáveis de crescimento de coelhos do grupo de controle e de coelhos do grupo alimentado com dieta contendo substitutos do SBM, podem ser parcialmente atribuídos a mudanças favoráveis na atividade enzimática da microflora intestinal, que têm impacto positivo sobre processos de fermentação no trato gastrointestinal inferior. Os resultados destes ensaios indicam que, na dieta de coelhos em crescimento, o SBM pode ser inteiramente substituído pela mistura de RSM, WLS e PS.

ABSTRACT In recent years, a trend has emerged to eliminate soybean meal (SBM) from rabbit diets. It was hypothesized that a dietary mixture composed of rapeseed meal (RSM), white lupine seeds (WLS) and pea seeds (PS) could be a substitute for SBM in diets for growing rabbits without compromising their growth and physiological parameters. To verify this hypothesis, selected parameters describing the growth rate of rabbits, their blood and slaughter parameters and caecum function were analyzed. The experiment was performed on ninety HYPLUS rabbits. Control group (C) animals were fed a diet containing 15% SBM. The diet administered to the first experimental group (E1) contained 7.5% SBM, 5.0% RSM, 4.0% WLS and 3.0% PS. In the diet fed to the second experimental group (E2), SBM was completely replaced with RSM, WLS and PS. The substitution did not exert a significant negative effect on the growth rate of rabbits, selected morphological and biochemical blood parameters or carcass characteristics. The comparable growth parameters of control group rabbits and rabbits fed diets containing SBM substitutes could be partially attributed to beneficial changes in the enzymatic activity of caecal microbiota, which have a positive influence on fermentation processes in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The results of this study indicate that SBM can be completely replaced with a mixture of RSM, WLS and PS in growing rabbit diets.