Growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry of rabbits fed varying levels and forms of cassava peel

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.