Détails de la publication

Growth performance, hematological and serum characteristics of rabbit fed Moringa oleifera leaves pellets as substitute to commercial concentrate

Détails de la publication

• Type:Article
• Domaine: Alimentation animale
• Année de publication: 2012
• Auteurs: ABOH A. B., DOUGNON J. T., TOSSA I. GBEGO, KPODEKON M. T., AKAKPO R. P. A. AND YOUSSAO I.
• Cultures: Rabbit
• Couverture géographique: BENIN
• Mots clés: Blood; feed conversion ratio; production cost; weight gain

Résumé de la publication

A seventy day feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves pellets (PML) on weight gain, production cost and blood profile of weaned rabbits. The PML was substituted to a commercial feed at level of 0, 10 and 15% to obtain respective diets PML0 (control), PML10 and PML15. Forty five weaned rabbits, 35-55 days of age, were allocated to three treatment groups with five replicates in a completely randomized design. Blood was collected from rabbits at different ages. Pellets of M. oleifera were totally consumed. Average daily weigh gains were higher in rabbits fed PML10 and PML15 diets. Feed conversion ratios were better for rabbits fed PML10 and PML15 diets (4.2: 1 and 4.0: 1, respectively). Increasing PML level from 0 to 10% in commercial feed resulted in 17.71% reduction in feed cost, while at 15% of substitution, the cost reduction was about 21.99%. But, serum parameters varied significantly with the age of rabbits. Pellets of M. oleifera can help in the production of cheaper meat of rabbits in developing countries.