Effect of coffee pulp silage on productive and microbiological variables in New Zealand rabbits

Objective: To determine the optimal inclusion level of coffee pulp in the diet of New Zealand rabbits based on their productive and microbiological parameters. Methodology: Thirty (n=30) weaned male rabbits, with an average age of 30 days and an average weight of 589 g, were randomly distributed into individual cages across three treatments with inclusion levels of 0%, 25%, and 45% coffee pulp silage fermented for 60 days. The animals were fed for eight weeks with isoenergetic and isoproteic diets. Results: Feed intake did not show significant differences, suggesting that the inclusion of 45% coffee pulp silage does not affect the diet’s acceptability for rabbits. Although feed intake was not affected, daily weight gain showed significant differences among treatments. On the other hand, hot carcass yield presented significant differences between treatments, with the 0% coffee pulp inclusion showing the highest carcass yield. Regarding cecal total bacterial concentration, an increasing trend was observed in treatments with higher inclusion levels of coffee pulp silage. Implications/Limitations: No significant limitations were observed.Conclusions: The use of coffee pulp silage remains a viable alternative for rabbit feeding, showing excellent acceptability by the animals and promoting cecal bacterial growth