Comparative evaluation of three different energy sources on performance, carcass characteristics, hematology and serum biochemistry of rabbits

Abstract

This study examined the effect of maize, sorghum and millet as three different energy sources on growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematology and serum biochemistry of rabbits. Eighteen seven-weeks old male rabbits were randomly distributed into three groups A, B and C each consisting of six rabbits, managed on deep litter and were given maize, sorghum and millet-based diets respectively as their sources of energy and were fed for a period of five weeks before data collection and analysis. Results obtained showed that the dietary treatments significantly (p<0.05) affected the growth performance of rabbits, but not the carcass characteristics, hematology and serum biochemistry. Nevertheless, in all treatments, the red blood cells ranged from 3.52 to 4.61 ×106/mm3 and fell below the normal range (5 – 8 ×106/mm3), while the alkaline phosphatase ranged from 182.67 to 218.57 U/L, and was above the normal range (4 – 20 U/L). It is therefore concluded that the test materials were not toxic to the muscle, kidney and liver of rabbits at 52.21% inclusion level. This implies that sorghum or millet can completely replace maize in rabbit diet with no adverse effect on the hematology and serum biochemistry parameters of rabbits but it may compromise growth.

Keywords: Animal protein consumption, Carcass, Energy sources, Growth performance, Hematology and Rabbits.