Effect of Olive Cake Pulp as A Partial or A Complete Substitute of Wheat Bran in Growing Rabbits’ Diet on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Blood Constituents under North Sinai Conditions

Abstract

Sixty weaned New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes aged 6 wk and weighed 715 g were randomly divided into four treatment groups (15 rabbits each) to evaluate the possibility of feeding growing rabbits on diets containing olive cake pulp (OCP) as partial or complete substitution of wheat bran. The first group (C) was fed the basal diet as control (0%OCP), while the other three treatment groups (L, M, H) were fed diets containing 15, 20 and 25%OCP, respectively replacing wheat bran in the basal diet. All the experimental diets contained nearly the same level of crude protein (CP) and digestible energy (DE). All the experimental diets were formulated to cover the nutrient requirements of rabbits. Results revealed that dietary treatments had no significant effect on live body weight (LBW), total weight gain (TWG), average daily gain (ADG) and daily fed intake (DFI) at different ages (6-14 wk). At the same time, LBW, TWG and ADG tended to be higher in rabbits fed M and H diets than those fed C and L diets. Daily feed intake of the L group tended to be lower (P>0.05) than that of the other groups (C, M and H). Feed conversion of H group was the best compared with the other groups (C, L and M groups). Glucose and triglycerides levels in blood serum of rabbits decreased significantly (P 0.05) by treatment. Almost carcass traits (empty carcass, edible giblets and dressing) were not affected (P>0.05) by treatment. From the economic point of view, it appears that the inclusion of OCP in growing rabbit diets by 15, 20, 25% instead of wheat bran as fed basis decreased feed cost/ kg gain by 9.11, 7.25 and 14.32%, respectively. The economic efficiency values of the experimental diets were increased by 23.88, 20.15 and 26.73%, respectively compared with the control diet. In conclusion, olive cake pulp (OCP) could be incorporated in growing rabbits diets up to 25% without adverse effects on growth performance, carcass traits, blood constituents and economic efficiency.