Protein and Energy Requirements and Deposition in the Growing Brushtail Possum and Rex Rabbit.

Abstract

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.