THE NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF BOVINE BLOOD MIXED WITH PROCESSED BROLERS FEATHERS ON HAEMATOLOGY AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS

Author Name: R. P. Obongekpe

Volume: 01 &  Issue:

Country: Nigeria

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: http://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/01.2021-76387272/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Department of Animal Science, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the nutritional evaluation of bovine blood mixed with processed broiler’s feather meal on growth performance and hematology of rabbits. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Animal Science, Livestock Section (Rabbitary Unit) of the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Uyo, Uyo, AkwaIbom State. The sum of 40 weaner rabbits was used for the study. The rabbits were divided into 5 groups based on average initial weights (20-25kg) and each group of weaner rabbits were respectively allocated to each of the five treatment diets using a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment group contained 2 replicates of 4 rabbits (2male and 2 female). These rabbits were fed twice daily and water supplied adlibitium. The treatment diets consisted of the following of BBFM at 0% (controlled), 10%, 20%, 30% & and 40% (controlled) replacement of maize in the control diet were formulated. The 50:50 ratios of digesta and processed broiler’s feather meal was derived by equal weighing (kg) of the two test ingredients percentage in the diet using a manual scale, all diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric. During the feeding trial, weekly feed consumption, weight changes, and hematology were recorded for all the levels, while weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were estimated to assess performance of the weanerrabbits. The results from the study shows significant (p0.05) on the haematology of the rabbits. It was concluded that BBFM could completely replace maize without adversely affecting the overall growth performance of the rabbits. Implications and recommendations were made from the findings of the study.

Key words: Bovine rumen content, Growth Performance, Processed broiler’s feather meal, Rabbits