Growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry of rabbits fed varying levels and forms of cassava peel
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trop. Anim. Prod. Invest. 22 (2):35-45
Abstract
In a 56 – day feeding trial, performance, haematology and serum biochemistry in grower rabbits fed
varying levels of conventional, coarse and fine cassava peel were investigated. Seven diets (I to VII)
were formulated with varying levels of cassava peel inclusions. Twenty- eight grower rabbits were
randomly distributed to the 7 dietary treatments with four animals per treatment in a completely
randomized design. Rabbits fed diet I had significantly (p < 0.05) higher daily weight gain and total
weight gain than those fed diet V but was comparable to others. Also, rabbits fed diet VII had
significantly (p < 0.05) higher average daily feed intake than those fed diets II, IV and V but was
comparable to others. Feed conversion ratio of the diets were comparable to each other except diets I
and IV. The values for all the treatments ranged from 4.83 to 5.86. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower dry
matter digestibility was observed in rabbits fed diets V and VI (0.73 and 0.75 respectively). Crude
protein digestibility was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in rabbits fed diets I and VII than diet III, ether
extract digestibility values were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in rabbits fed diets III, V and VI while
crude fibre digestibility improved in rabbits fed diets II, IV and VII ( 0.67, 0.70 and 0.72 respectively).
Rabbits fed diet VI had significantly lower red blood cell count (4.23 x 106/L) compared to those fed
with diets III, IV, V and VII. Also, rabbits fed diets V and VII had significantly (p < 0.05) higher
haemoglobin than those fed diet II. The overall value ranged from 10.10 to 12.05g/dl. Rabbits fed diet
I also had significantly (p < 0.05) higher albumin compared to those fed diet IV.
Description
Keywords
Cassava peel mash, cassava processing, Rabbit performance, Rabbit blood