Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of natural resources, Research Institute of African Studies. Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
2
Animal Nutrition Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
3
Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt.
4
Regional Center for Food and Feed, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
5
Environmental studies and Research Institute, Sustainble Department University of Sadat City, Monofeya, Egypt.
Abstract
A total number of 72 New Zealand White (NZW) growing rabbits of mixed sex, 6 weeks old with 500±13.75 g average body weight was used to study the effect of using different levels of Moringa petioles meal without or with supplementation of multi enzymes caplix on rabbit performance, nutrients digestibility, caecum activity, carcass characteristics and economic efficiency. Rabbits were divided into 6 treatments 12 rabbits each. Three substitution levels of Moringa petioles meal were used (zero, 25 and 50%) instead of Alfalfa dehydrate meal of control diet, with or without caplix addition at levels of 0.00 or 0.05% of diet in 3x2 factorial design.
Results indicated that, chemical analysis contents of Moringa petioles meal was higher in DM, OM, CP, EE, Ash, Cell., P and DE than Alfalfa dehydrate meal. While Alfalfa dehydrate meal was higher in CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, ADL, Hemi., Lig. and Ca. most nutrients digestibility were improved (P<0.05) with replacing Alfalfa dehydrate meal by Moringa petioles meal at level 25 or 50%. Also, adding caplix to rabbit diets improved the nutrients digestibility and nutritive values compared to the unsuplemented diets. Caecum weight and TVF̕S caecal juice concentrations increased (p<0.05) with replacing Moringa petioles meal compared to the control group. Adding caplix to rabbit diets increased (P<0.05) caecum weight, caecum length, caecum pH and TVFA’S concentrations compared to the unsuplemented diets. Using Moringa petioles meal in rabbit significantly (P<0.05) increased the average values of FBW, DBWG and DFI and also with adding caplix in rabbit diets compared to those groups fed diets without caplix. Carcass weight and total edible parts % increased (P<0.05) with either adding caplix or Moringa petioles meal at levels 25 and 50% compared to the control group. The tested diets not affect significantly meat content of DM, CP and EE. Replacement Alfalfa hay by Moringa petioles meal level or adding caplix did Replacing Moringa petioles meal for at level of 25 or 50% either with or without adding caplix to rabbit diets improved the economic efficiency.
Conclusively, replacement of 50% of alfalfa hay in the rabbits diet by moringa petioles meal with 0.05% caplex supplementation could be recommanded to improve rabbit growth performance parameters and feed efficiency of feed utilizationunder the Egyptian conditions.
Keywords
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