Growth Performance, Semen Quality and Health Status as Affected by using Panicum Maximum in Rabbits Feed

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate replacement of clover hay in rabbit diets with Panicum maximum hay (Pmh) and how affected digestibility, growth performance, carcass characteristics, semen quality, economic efficiency, and health status. A total of 60 New Zealand White weaned male rabbits, aged 6 weeks and weighing an average of 720±42g, were randomly classified into four dietary groups (15 rabbits each). The control group was fed a baseline diet with 36% clover hay (D1). The other three groups were provided diets with 12, 24, and 36% Pmh to replace the clover hay in the basal diet (D2, D3, and D4 respectively). Feed intake, digestibility, CF and NFE, nutritive value (TDN and DE), daily body weight gain, FCR, and carcass percentage all decreased slightly (P<0.05) with increasing Pmh replacement up to 24 percent (D2 and D3) and significantly (P<0.05) with the highest replacement level (D4) when compared to the control. A replacement had no significant effect on semen quality. Replacement, on the other hand, increased net income by increasing Pmh levels as a result of lower overall feed costs, and the highest replacement level provided the best relative economic efficiency compared to control (114%). The hematological parameters were within normal limits and the histological alterations had no negative effect on the animals' physiological activities. Finally, using Pmh instead of clover hay in rabbit diets can be used as an alternative, save and more economical feed in rabbit diets.