The effects of fiber supplementation on diet digestibility by silver foxes

Authors:
  • WFW. L. Faulkner
    W. L. Faulkner
  • DAD. M. Anderson
    D. M. Anderson
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Abstract
A digestibility study with Silver foxes weighing 6.5 ± 0.1 kg was conducted to evaluate five fibers (hemicellulose (X), α-cellulose (C), pectin (P), oat bran (B) and oat hulls (H)) added at 5% to a meat-type diet (A). Apparent digestibility of dry matter in diet P (65.1%) was significantly poorer (P < 0.05) than all others except C (69.1%). Addition of all fibers reduced digestibility of acid detergent fiber. Diet P resulted in weight loss, increased water consumption, and faster rate of passage than diet A (P < 0.05). Key words: Digestibility, oat bran, rate of passage, hemicellulose, fiber, fox