Abstract
The growth performance of 24 weanling giant rats was studied in 2 experiments of 30 weeks duration with commercial livestock rations and graded levels of protein. Daily average liveweight gain was 5·1-7·3 g, food consumption 26·9-36·3 g on 6 diets. Food intake, growth rate and food efficiency ratio were very similar using the different commercial diets. Growth performance improved as the dietary protein level was raised from 10 to 13%, but a further increase to 16% did not result in greater growth. The commercial pig ration and the experimental diet containing 13% dietary protein level were found to give satisfactory growth, and are recommended for studies with these animals.