Keywords
Biochemical; Biomeal; Balanites; Seed; Cake; Haematology; Serum
Abstract
A Feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of Balanites Aegyptiaca Seed Bio Meal (BASM) as a substitute for groundnut cake in the diet of growing rabbit. Five experimental diets were formulated representing the following treatments: T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5respectively. T1 (0% BASM) was served as the control diet, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 contained 25, 50 75 and 100% BASM respectively. A total of 100 weaner rabbits of mixed breeds were purchased from the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria, Nigeria. The rabbits were fed the control diet during the one week of adjustment period. They were given vitalyte as anti stress and were dewormed using ivermectin. At the end of one week of adjustment; the rabbits were housed in different hutches and fed their respective experimental diet. Each treatment contained 20 rabbits and these treatments’ (T1-T5 ) each was replicated in four portions and each portion had five rabbits each. Results of BASM on hematology and serum chemistry showed that Balanites aegyptiaca seed meal supplementation levels had no adverse effect on red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and packed cell volume and biochemical indices. More so, there was no significant difference in the parameters measured for hematological and biochemical characteristics of rabbits studied. Rabbitfed BASM diet performed significantly like (P>0.05) those fed with the control diet. Inclusion of 25% to100% roasted BASM contain bio nutrient that can be used in rabbit diet to substitute for groundnut cake without any adverse effect especially in the area of study and related ecology.
Citation
Ogori AF, Makinde OJ and Joeguluba O. Effects of Balanites Aegyptiaca (del) Seed Cake on Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Growing Rabbits. SM J Nutr Metab. 2018; 4(1): 1026.