Effect of roughage-based diet on growth performances of rabbit

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of roughage-based diet on growth, hematological and sero-biochemical profile, and nutrient digestibility of growing rabbits. There were three dietary treatment groups viz. traditional diet, 50% concentrate + 50% roughage, 100% roughage treated as T0, T1, and T2, respectively. A total of forty-five (45) weaned crossbred New Zealand White growing rabbits were distributed into three treatment groups, each having three replications following Completely Randomized Design. From this study, it was found that weekly concentrate and DM intake were significantly influenced by 50% concentrate + 50% roughage and 100% roughage diet, though the FCR was insignificant. Final body weight, weekly body weight, and weight gain were not differed with roughage-based diet. The nutrient digestibility of DM, CP, CF, Ash, and NFE was also varied significantly (P<0.05) among the treatment groups compared to the control group except for EE. There was a significant difference in serological parameters (P<0.05) among the treatment groups. Our results indicate that rabbits can be reared feeding roughage although body weight gain was little decreased than the traditional diet and other concentrate groups. A little decreased body weight is less economic loss than feeding concentrate. So, it can be concluded that supplementation of a roughage-based diet can be used in the diet of growing rabbits.