Effect of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa LINN) calyx residue on growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of weaner rabbits

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of weaner rabbits fed roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyx residue. Thirty (30) rabbits were allotted into five treatments with six rabbits per treatment. Each treatment was replicated three times with two rabbits per replicate. The rabbits were fed concentrates and varied levels of Tridax procumbens and roselle calyx residue (100 and 0% for T1, 75 and 25% for T2, 50 and 50% for T3, 25 and 75% for T4, 0% and 100% for T5 respectively). Parameters measured for growth performance are feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The experiment lasted for four weeks, at the end of which blood samples were collected for haematological and serum biochemical indices. Results showed that rabbits in T4 had significantly higher average daily weight gain (15.66 g/r/d) and better FCR (0.72) when compared to other treatments. The white blood cells values varied significantly (p<0.05) across the dietary treatments in which rabbits in T4 recorded the highest value (6.30 x 103/mm3) which was statistically similar to those in T1 (6.13 x 103/mm3), while the lowest value was observed with rabbits in T3 (4.50 x 103/mm3). The neutrophils count observed ranged from 23.00 to 32.50% while the eosinophils count ranged from 1.50 to 3.00%. The result for serum biochemical indices showed that the dietary treatment did not significantly influence (p>0.05) the parameters measured except for Alanine Amino-transferase. The alanine amino-transferase value ranged significantly from 40.24 to 53.22 g/dL. It was therefore concluded that 75% of roselle calyx residue presented a better result in all parameters evaluated and can be recommended as a supplemental feed for growing rabbits.