THE EFFECT OF RATIONS CONTAINING DRUMSTICK TREE (MORINGA OLEIFERA) BY PRODUCT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE YOUNG POST-WEANING RABBITS

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effect of using different dietary levels Moringa by product as a partial replacement (0, 25, 37.5 and 50%) for clover straw. Results indicated that the chemical composition of Moringa Oleifera by product value contained high protein, DM, OM and NSC and lowest contents other values compared to clover hay, values were recorded with of NFE, CF and P. The study rations of containing different dietary levels Moringa by product on growth performance, digestibility coefficient of nutrient, nutritive value, cecum activity, carcass characteristics, quality meat and some blood plasma constituents of growing New-Zealand White. The chemical composition of these ration has nearly similar CP, EE, CF and digestible energy. Growth performance of the experimental groups could be noticed that the carcass weight and total edible parts increased (P<0.05) with replacing Moringa olifera by product meal instead clover hay at level 25%, 37.5% and 50% compared to the control ration, the values of carcass weight were 940.92, 966.83 and 1024.33gm , the total edible parts were 52.22, 51.83 and 53.44 gm, respectively .The best results were recorded with R4 containing Moringa by product meal 50%., the significantly improved up to rate 5.25%. This observation may reflect the relatively higher feed intake by rabbits on the Moringa by product meal diets resulting in higher daily weight gain. The values of ash and EE were insignificant effect in meat. The values of moisture, dry matter and crude protein were significant between values, the best results crude protein and dry matter meat recorded with R2 compared with control R1. The total period from (6-13 weeks) observed the total feed conversion ratio values significant increase between rations and the best feed conversion ratio recorded with R4 (3.38g/feed /gain)). The result indicted to the best ration with replacement moringa by product meal by 50%. The results of digestibility coefficient were significant differences among three tested rations compared with control for indicated that adding Moringa olifera by product roughage meal at 25%, 37.5% and 50% significantly improved (P<0.05) digestibility coefficient. while the best improved significant values were recorded with 50% R4 containing moringa by product followed by R3 more than other R2 and control (R1). In rabbit diet (R4) recorded the best results cell-wall constituent digestibility data and the highest nutrient digestibility. The highest content Moringa by product meal (50%) showed the highest TDN (67.41%) and DCP (12.27%) and significant increased caecum weight, caecum length, caecum PH and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA,s) caeca juice. There was insignificant trend towards a reduction in the cholesterol of level moringa R4 by (3.13%) compared with control (R1). This reduction in serum may be suggest a general decline in lipid mobilization. It may be suggested then that, moringa leaf meal diets can reduce serum cholesterol, hence assisting in the reduction and deposition of cholesterol in the muscles. The economic efficiency of R4was higher by 11.31 %, total revenue increased by 4.45%, Net revenue by 10.35%, feeding cost was 1% slightly lower compared with control rations. No mortality of rabbits was recorded during the study by product