This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the addition of different levels of fumaric acid to diet (.0, .5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2,0%) on the performance of growing rabbits. Fifty rabbits of White New Zealand breed, 25 males and 25 females, from 40 to 80 days of age were alloted to a randomized blocks experimental design with five treatments and ten replicates with one animal per experimental unit. The addition of fumaric acid to the diets did not affect the rabbits performance in anyone of the studied levels up to 70 days of age. Considering the total experimental period from 40 to 80 days of age, the addition of 2.0% fumaric acid improved the feed:gain ratio. The other performance characteristics and carcass yield were not affected by the addition of fumaric acid. The addition of 2.0% of fumaric acid to the rabbit diets improved the feed:gain ratio of the rabbits in the period from 40 to 80 days age.
fumaric acid; rabbits; performance
