Abstract
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using dried strawberry by-product (ASB) in growing rabbit diets on growth performance, nutrients digestibility coefficients, some blood parameter and relative economic efficiency. Seventy two weaned male New Zealand White rabbits at 6 weeks received diets containing 0, 25, 50 and 75% ASB as a replace of berseem hay. The growth trial lasted for 8 weeks. Results obtained could be summarized as follows: There were significant increases in body weight gain with increasing ASB levels in the diets. Whereas, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected by ASB feeding. Ether extract digestibility coefficients were significantly decreased with increasing dietary level of ASB, while the digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP and CF were higher in treatments containing ASB, while the digestibility coefficients of OM, CP and CF were significantly higher in treatments containing ASB. Dressing percentages of rabbits were significantly higher with 75% ASB feeding compared with other treatments. Dietary ASB treatments had no significant effects on meat chemical analysis (moisture, DM and CP contents). But EE and ash contents were decreased with ASB feeding. Blood plasma concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, vLDL and total lipids were significantly decreased with increasing the level of ASB in rabbit diets. Feeding ASB had a significant positive effect on blood plasma antioxidant profile. Leveling up dietary ASB inclusion rate decreased MDA level and increased the TAC capacity in an incremental manner with increasing ASB of the diet. Using ASB as a feed ingredient improved the relative economic efficiency of diets. It could be concluded that ASB can be used in the growing rabbit diets with no adverse effects on performance and health status of the rabbit. Besides, ASB could reduce the cost of the diet.
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