EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUN DRIED MORINGA OLIEFERA LEAVES As A SOURCE OF PROTEIN IN EARLY WEANING RABBITS RATION ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTION COEFFICIENTS AND SOME BLOOD CONSTITUENTS

Abstract

total number of one hundred early weaning New Zealand white rabbits (EWNZWR) were used at 25 days of age with an average of 580.5 g. Rabbits were divided into 4 groups (25 rabbits each). Four substitution levels of sun dried Moringa oeliefera leaves (SDMOL) were used (zero%, 25%, 50% and 75%) instead of sunflower meal. Chemical analysis of Sun dried Moringa oliefera Leaves was higher in CP, NFE, EE, and ash than sunflower meal. Most nutrients digestibility were improved (P<0.05) with replacing sunflower meal by Sun dried Moringa oliefera leaves at level 25, 50 or 75%. Also, using Sun-dried Moringa oliefera leaves in early weaning New Zealand white rabbits significantly (P<0.05) increased final body weight and daily body weight gain values. The tested diets have decreased significantly (P<0.05) meat content of DM