Performance of Growing Rabbits Fed on Some Agroindustrial by-Products

Abstract

A total number of eighty four New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits 5 weeks of age and 608 + 7.56 g average live body weight were allotted at random to seven similar experimental groups (of 12 rabbits each). Each group of rabbits was fed one of seven experimental pelleted diets (17% crude protein and 12-13% crude fiber on average). The feeding trail extended for 9 weeks. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of partial substitution (25 or 50%) of soybean meal of control diet with different agro-industrial by-products as the sources for plant protein; rocket (RSM), fenugreek (FSM) and mustard seed meals (MSM) on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, blood constitutions, carcass characteristics and economic efficiency. Results indicated that, digestion coefficients of most nutrients and the nutritive values were significantly (P<0.05) improved in the groups fed 25 or 50% RSM and FSMdiet as compared to the control. The values of TDN increased by (4.85 and 4.52%) for RSM, (4.44 and 4.43%) for FSM and (1.80%) for 50% MSM. The DCP improvement was (9.13 and 2.04%) for RSM, (2.44 and 7.25%) for FSM, respectively. Replacing RSM, FSM or MSM by 25 or 50% in rabbit diets grew (9.85 and 4.58%) for RSM, (3.36 and 7.56%) for FSM and (1.23%) for 25% MSM faster than control. The diets containing 25 and 50% agro-industrial byproducts showed better (P<0.05) values of feed conversion than the control diet. Serum total protein, albumin, globulin and urea-N were significantly (P<0.05) affected by different treatments; while, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol and total lipids were not affected. Hot carcass weight and dressing percentages were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the 25 and 50% RSM, FSM or 25% MSM groups than those of the control and 50% MSM groups. Economical efficiency values of rabbits fed diets contained agro-industrial byproducts at marketing age (13 weeks) were higher than those of the control diet. It could be concluded that substitution of rocket, fenugreek and mustard seed meals up to 50% of soybean meal in the diet of NZW rabbits had good results without adverse effects on growth performance.