Performance indices and blood parameters of growing rabbits fed molasses improved sorghum brewers dried grain

Abstract

The study evaluated the performance indices and blood parameters of growing rabbits fed molasses improved sorghum brewer’s dried grain (MISBDG). Forty mixed breeds of rabbits (4-6weeks) were allotted into four treatments in a completely randomized design. Four mash diets (T1, T2, T3 and T4) were compounded by replacement of maize with inclusion of MISBDG at 0, 20, 30 and 40% of the diets. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) among the means of daily feed intake, final weight gain daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of rabbits. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among the means of the haematological indices of the experimental diets except for the means of lymphocytes and monocytes which were significantly similar (p>0.05). The packed cell volume, red blood cell and neutrophil contents of rabbits fed MISBDG diets were significantly higher compared to control fed rabbits.. The counts of white blood cell were significantly highest (p<0.05) in rabbits fed diets T3 (7.10), T4 (6.10), T1 (6.25) than T2 (5.75). Animals fed diets containing MISBDG were significantly higher (p<0.05) in blood cholesterol, globulin, alanine aminotransferase and glucose contents. Also animals fed diet T3 had significantly highest (p<0.05) total protein and albumin contents followed by diet T4, T1 and T2. It could be concluded that inclusion of graded levels of MISBDG in the diets of growing rabbits led to comparable performance indices and had no negative effects on the blood parameters instead enhanced the health status of the experimental rabbits.