EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENT BLOOD-RUMEN CONTENT MIXTURES ON BLOOD PARAMETERS AND CARCASS MEASUREMENTS OF GROWING RABBITS

ABSTRACT A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of blood-rumen content mixtures (BRCM) on the blood parameters and carcass measurements of cross-bred (Dutch x New Zealand) growing rabbits aged between five and seven weeks. Forty-five rabbits were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments and nine per treatment in randomized complete block design. Blood-rumen content mixtures (BRCM) of bovine, camel, sheep and goat were used in the diets. Diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 0% BRCM, 40% bovine blood-rumen content mixture (BBRCM), 40% camel bloodrumen content mixture (CBRCM), 40% goat blood-rumen content mixture (GBRCM) and 40% sheep blood-rumen content mixture (SBRCM) respectively. The response showed that the haematological parameters were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the test material in the diets. Similarly, the serum biochemical components were also not affected by the inclusion of different blood-rumen content mixtures; only total protein and calcium were significantly affected (P<0.05) by the test materials in the diets. The thighs, lungs, kidneys and body length were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatment groups. The slaughter weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage and the other carcass components not mention above were significantly (P<0.05) different but no discernible trend was observed. The study indicated that up to 40% of the different blood-rumen content mixtures can be included in the diets of growing rabbits without adverse effect on blood and carcass parameters