
%0 Journal Article
%A Harris, PM 
%A Dellow, DW 
%A Broadhurst, RB 
%T Protein and Energy Requirements and Deposition in the Growing Brushtail Possum and Rex Rabbit.
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 1985/08/01
%V 33
%N 4
%P 425-436
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9850425
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO9850425 
%X Nitrogen and energy requirements of the growing brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula and the Rex rabbit were studied by means of growth, balance and calorimetry techniques in 2 trials. The maintenance requirements of apparently digestible N were estimated from balance as being 358 and 442 mg/kg0.75 daily for the possums and rabbit, respectively. The standard metabolic rates were 200 and 359 kJ/kg0.75 daily; requirements of apparently digestible energy for maintenance were 370 and 480 kJ/kg daily. The possums grew more slowly over the same weight range as the rabbits and deposited a greater proportion of their gain as fat. At the end of both trials the possums had a greater proportion of carcass fat than the rabbits, and both experimental groups of rabbits and possums were fatter than feral possums of the same weight. 
