HAEMATOLOGY, SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY, AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF WEANER RABBITS FED SELECTED TREE LEGUMES LEAVES AND SWEET POTATO PEEL MEAL BASED DIET
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to assess the influence of sweet potato peel meal based diet and selected tree legumes forages (Leucaena leucocephala, Pentaclathra macrophylla and Moringa oleifera) on the hematology, serum biochemistry and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbit. A total of twenty-four rabbits of 6-8 weeks of age were used for the experiment. The rabbits were divided into four treatments groups with 6 rabbits in each treatment and was further replicated three times with 2 rabbits per replicate. Experimental diet was formulated to meet the nutrient requirement of rabbits using sweet potato peel meal . The experiment was conducted using a completely randomize design such that treatment1(T1) (control) received only the concentrate, treatment 2 (T2) rececived concentrate and Leucaena leucocephala, treatment 3(T3) received concentrate and Pentaclathra macrophylla while treatment 4 (T4) received concentrate and Moringa oleifera. All management practices necessary for the production of rabbits were observed. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected. Data On Haematological parameters(Red blood cell, Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin, white blood cell, lymphocytes, Neutrophils, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils) and serum biochemical parameters(Total protein, Triglycerides, and cholesterol) and carcass characteristics parameters(Live weight, Slaughtered weight, Eviscerated weight, Dressing percentage, Foreleg, Hind leg, Thoracic cage, Loin, Liver, Kidney, Rump, Lungs, Heart, Neck )were subjected to ANOVA. The result showed that there were significance difference (p
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.