THE INFLUENCE OF Moringa peregrine  SEEDS SUPPLEMENT IN THE DIET ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRINTS DIGESTIBILITY COEFFICIENTS AND CARCASS TRAITS IN GROWING RABBITS

El_Sheikh, Said; Salama, Atef; El-Lamey, Taghried M

doi:10.21608/ejrs.2016.42089

THE INFLUENCE OF Moringa peregrine SEEDS SUPPLEMENT IN THE DIET ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRINTS DIGESTIBILITY COEFFICIENTS AND CARCASS TRAITS IN GROWING RABBITS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Desert Research Center, Mataria, Cairo, Egypt.

² Ecophysiology Unit, Plant Ecology and Ranges Department, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/ejrs.2016.42089

Abstract

A total number of 36 California rabbits weaned at five weeks of age were used to study the influence of Moringa peregrine seeds (MPS) as a feed supplement on growth performance, digestibility coefficients, blood characteristics and carcass traits of rabbit. Rabbits were divided into three treatment groups. Each group contains four replicates with three rabbits each. The experimental period extended from 5 to 13 weeks of age. Moringa peregrine seeds were incorporated in the basal diet at levels, zero (control), 0.2 and 0.4 %.The experimental diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous (16.00 % CP) and iso-caloric (2500 kcal DE/ kg diet).
Results of the study revealed that MPS are rich in vitamin C and phenolic compounds which has antioxidant activity and antioxidant capacity.
Final live body weight and total body weight gain values recorded the highest (P<0.01) value with rabbits fed 0.4 % MPS diet (2300.00 g and 1690.84g), followed by those fed 0.2% MPS diet (2263.33g and 1652.92g), and rabbits fed the control diet (2089.16g and 1479.16g), respectively.
Feed conversation ratio was improved (P<0.05) when rabbits fed either 0.2 or 0.4% MPS in the basal diet. It recorded 2.51, 2.67 and 2.75 (g feed / g gain) for those fed 0.2, 0.4 and zero (control) % MPS diets, respectively.
Digestibility coefficient of CP and nutritive value of the diet expressed as DCP recorded the highest (P<0.01) with rabbits fed 0.4 % MPS diet compared with those fed either the control or 0.2% MPS diet.
Empty carcass weight and total giblets % showed the highest (P < 0.05) with rabbit its fed 0.4% MPS (1255.7g and 65.77%) compared with those fed the control diet (1159.7g and 63.62%), or those fed o.2% MPS diet (1155.3 g and 64.1%).
To enhance the growth performance of growing rabbits, it is recommended to incorporate Moringa peregrine seeds in the diet at level of o.4%.

Keywords