A 12-week study was conducted to determine the effect of graded
levels of raw tallow seed meal (RTSM) on growth performance, haematological
and biochemical parameters and organoleptic qualities of growing rabbits. Five
experimental diets were compounded to contain 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% RTSM
replacing the palm kernel cake weight for the weight designated as T1, T2, T3, T4
and T5, respectively. Forty-five (45) weaned rabbits between 5 and 6 weeks with
an average body weight ranging from 500 to 600 g of mixed breeds and sexes
(females and males) were randomly allocated to the five (5) dietary treatments in
the randomized complete block design with nine (9) rabbits per treatment
replicated three (3) times with three (3) rabbits each. Data were collected on feed
intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility, some
haematological and biochemical parameters and organoleptic qualities of the
rabbits. The feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly
(P<.005) affected by the dietary treatments. The rabbits fed diets T1, T2 and T3
recorded similar feed intake (62, 66.95, and 66.50 g), total weight gain (1328.73,
1320.44, and 1323.49 g) and feed conversion ratio (3.92, 4.26, and 4.22) which
were significantly better than those observed for the rabbits fed diets T4 and T5.
The nutrient digestibilities of the rabbits fed the experimental diets were also
significantly (P<0.05) affected. The rabbits fed diet T2 had better fiber digestibility
(47.05%) compared to other treatment groups. Ether extract digestibility was
observed to be better in the group of rabbits fed diets T1, T2 and T3, respectively.
Some of the other nutrients in the group of rabbits fed diets T3, T4 and T5 were
similarly digested. The haematological parameters were observed to be depressed
as the level of RTSM increased in the diets. Packed cell volume, red blood cells
and white blood cells were observed to reduce from 37.69 to 21.22%, 4.14 to 2.18g/dl and 4.98 to 3.02 g/dl. The biochemical parameters indicated a similar trend as
that of the haematological parameters. Total protein, glucose and urea reduced
from 6.15 to 4.63 g/dl, 5.15 to 3.80 g/dl and 7.76 to 4.00 mmol/l. The result of the
organoleptic qualities indicated a non-significant (P>0.05) difference except for the
juiciness which was significantly (P<0.05) high in the rabbits fed diets T1 (5.90),
T3 (5.65), and T4 (5.90), respectively. In conclusion, up to 50% of RTSM can be
included in the diets of rabbits without adverse effects on productive performance,
nutrient utilization, blood parameters and organoleptic qualities.
John, M (2019). RESPONSE OF GROWING RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) FED DIETS CONTAINING RAW TALLOW (DETARIUM MICROCARPUM) SEED MEAL. Afribary.com: Retrieved January 19, 2021, from https://afribary.com/works/jiya-et-al
Makinde, John. "RESPONSE OF GROWING RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) FED DIETS CONTAINING RAW TALLOW (DETARIUM MICROCARPUM) SEED MEAL" Afribary.com. Afribary.com, 07 Oct. 2019, https://afribary.com/works/jiya-et-al . Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.
Makinde, John. "RESPONSE OF GROWING RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) FED DIETS CONTAINING RAW TALLOW (DETARIUM MICROCARPUM) SEED MEAL". Afribary.com, Afribary.com, 07 Oct. 2019. Web. 19 Jan. 2021. < https://afribary.com/works/jiya-et-al >.
Makinde, John. "RESPONSE OF GROWING RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) FED DIETS CONTAINING RAW TALLOW (DETARIUM MICROCARPUM) SEED MEAL" Afribary.com (2019). Accessed January 19, 2021. https://afribary.com/works/jiya-et-al