Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of feeding rabbits with Maxigrain® (M) enzyme supplemented Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GLM) on their physiology, performance characteristics, and nutrients digestibility. Twenty weaned rabbits of mixed sexes, 5-6 weeks old, were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments including 0 g M which was soybean without M (control) and GLM supplemented with M at 50, 100, 150 and 200 g M per kilogramme of GLM. There were four rabbits per treatment and one rabbit as replicate in a completely randomized design. There were no significant (p > 0.05) treatment effects in all physiological and performance indices as well as those of crude fat, fibre and NFE digestibilities. There were variations (p < 0.05) due to the treatment effects on dry matter, crude protein and ash digestiblities. This implies that the feeding of soft faeces directly from the caecum called coprophagy mechanism in rabbits has its concomitant nutritional benefits. This advantageous benefit can enable rabbit to effectively and efficiently utilize forage or forage-based diet with or without enzyme supplementation.
Highlights
Egbo et al (2001) reported that rabbits are efficient converters of feed to meat and utilize up to 30% fibre as against 10% by most poultry species
Since the values are not different from that of the control, it implies that the test diets and/or its interaction with the supplemented enzymes do not have or potentiate any bioactive substances or plant secondary metabolites or phytochemicals, etc. (Abdullahi et al, 2014), that can neither cause abnormal diet induced low temperature nor abnormal high temperature
The respiratory rate was similar (p > 0.05) to the control which implies that the diets do not cause any clinical problems to the animals; so test diets with enzyme supplementation do not cause abnormally pathological increase respiratory rate or decrease rate
Summary
Egbo et al (2001) reported that rabbits are efficient converters of feed to meat and utilize up to 30% fibre as against 10% by most poultry species. The daily weight gain of rabbit is high in proportion to the body weight which gives them a rapid growth rate before sexual maturity. They attain a high weight at sexual maturity 30% faster than other animals (Ajayi et al, 2005). Domestic rabbit is raised as a cheap source of meat due to its economic way of feeding, high prolificacy and small body size that makes it suitable for backyard rearing and easy consumption by a family, as well as extra income by sale of animals (Iyeghe-Erakpotobor et al, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
