Preliminary study on the applicability of the chromic oxide and lignin methods in determining the apparent digestibility in rabbit

Abstract

Using the Silver Marten strain of two-month-old rabbits study was carried out upon the applicability o f chromic oxide and lignin methods' in determining the digestibility of a commercial ration (Dog Meal). The chromic oxide and lignin methods in amounts of 0.5% and 1.3%, respectively, on a dry matter basis, checked by the conventional method, showed statistically no significant differences for all the nutrients except for the cellulose nutrient (P 0.05) in the chromic oxide method. However, it was found that the results of the lignin method were higher in relation to both other ones and that the chromic oxide method disclosed the lowest values. Further, recovery tests referring to both methods were discussed in order to explain the data obtained in this study.