Two experiments were carried out, with the aim of evaluating the use of corn processed or not by extrusion, in the feeding of growing rabbits. In the experiment 1, 21 White New Zealand rabbits, 12 males and 9 females, with 55 days of age, were used on digestibility assay, with the aim of determining the nutritional value of corn, extruded or not. The rabbits were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and seven replications, with one reference and four test diets. In the elaboration of test diets, the evaluated feeds (corn processed or not on extrusion) replaced the reference diet in 30% in natural matter. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, starch and gross energy were respectively, 81.39, 88.24, 87.08, 98.63 and 90.24% for the corn not processed and 86.46, 96.96, 94.11, 98.91 and 97.54% for the extruded corn. The digestible dry matter, digestible organic matter, digestible protein, digestible starch and digestible energy, based on dry matter were respectively, 71.16, 87.27, 7.78, 60.09% and 3997 kcal/kg for the corn not processed and of 75.6, 95.9, 8.41, 60.26% and 4320 kcal/kg for the extruded corn. In the experiment 2, 80 White New Zealand rabbits were used, half of each sex, in the period from 35 to 75 days of age, with the aim of evaluating the performance of growing rabbits fed with rations containing different replacement levels of corn by the extruded corn. The rabbits were allocated in a completely randomized design with four treatments and twenty replications. The treatments consisted of four isoenergetic ration, one as reference ration, with base on common corn not processed and the other three rations where the common corn was replaced, in levels of 33, 66 and 100%, by the extruded corn. The inclusion of increasing levels of extruded corn in the rations did not affect the daily average weight gain, feed:gain ratio, weight and carcass yield, however it reduced linearly daily average feed intake. It can be concluded that corn extruded or not can replace totally the corn in rations. The use of extruded corn extruded or not in rations depends on market price and availability.
chemical composition; performance; digestibility; energy value
