Evaluation of Adding Canola Meal to Diet on Growth Performance of Male Wistar Rats

The aim of the present study was to determine how the effect of adding different amounts of canola meal, as a well known protein supplement in animal nutrition is on growth parameters and performance of male Wistar rats. Daily Weight Gain (DWG), Daily Feed Intake (DFI) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were registered. Forty eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six with two repetition; three experimental groups were fed diets containing 10, 20 and 30% canola meal (E1, E2 and E3, respectively) and the fourth one (control) was with no canola meal added. In a 6 weeks period trial, adding canola meal did not change DWG but reduced DFI. Partial substitution of SBM by canola meal caused an increase in FCR. Independently of level of inclusion as a substitute for SBM, results showed that canola meal, especially E2 diet, slightly improved the animal performance and can be used in laboratory animal feeding.