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PRINT: ISSN 2221-1896
ONLINE : ISSN 2223-0343
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Growth performance,
hematological and serum characteristics of rabbit fed Moringa
oleifera leaves pellets as substitute to commercial concentrate |
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A.
B. Aboha, J. T. Dougnonb, I. Gbego Tossa, M. T.
Kpodekonb, R. P. A. Akakpob and
I. Youssaob |
aAnimal
science, Veterinary and Fisheries Research Laboratory
(LRZVH), Agricultural Research Centre of Agonkanmey (CRA-Agoncanmey),
National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB), Cotonou,
Republic of Benin (West Africa); bDepartment of Animal
production and Health, Polytechnical College of
Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou, Benin
(West Africa) |
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Abstract |
A seventy day feeding trial was carried out to
determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves pellets (PML) on
weight gain, production cost and blood profile of weaned rabbits. The
PML was substituted to a commercial feed at level of 0, 10 and 15% to
obtain respective diets PML0 (control), PML10 and PML15. Forty five
weaned rabbits, 35-55 days of age, were allocated to three treatment
groups with five replicates in a completely randomized design. Blood was
collected from rabbits at different ages. Pellets of M. oleifera
were totally consumed. Average daily weigh gains were higher in rabbits
fed PML10 and PML15 diets. Feed conversion ratios were better for
rabbits fed PML10 and PML15 diets (4.2: 1 and 4.0: 1, respectively).
Increasing PML level from 0 to 10% in commercial feed resulted in 17.71%
reduction in feed cost, while at 15% of substitution, the cost reduction
was about 21.99%. But, serum parameters varied significantly with the
age of rabbits. Pellets of M. oleifera can
help in the production of cheaper meat of
rabbits in developing countries.
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Keywords:
Blood; feed conversion ratio; production cost;
weight gain |
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To cite this article:
Aboh AB, JT Dougnon, IG Tossa, MT Kpodekon, RPA Akakpo,
I Youssao,
2012.
Growth performance, hematological and serum characteristics of rabbit
fed Moringa oleifera leaves pellets as substitute to commercial
concentrate.
Res.
Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci.,
2(8), 454-458. |
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