Zoo-technical performances of weaner rabbits fed Nutryzyme® supplemented diets
Abstract
The study assessed the zoo-technical performances of weaner rabbits fed Nutrizyme supplement diets. This study aimed at determining the zoo-technical performances of the weaner rabbits fed Nutrizyme supplement diets while we specifically determined the zoo-technical performances, the apparent nutrient digestibility as well as the hematological and serum Biochemical of weaner rabbits fed Nutrizyme supplement diets. Eighteen rabbits were allotted into three dietary treatments with each having three replicates in a completely randomized design format. Each replicate (unit) housed two rabbits. The Nutrizyme powder was incorporated in the diets at 0, 125, and 250 ppm respectively. The parameters appraised include average daily feed intake, feed efficiency, average final weight and the heamatological and serum profiles. All data generated were subjected to analysis of variance using statistical packages for social sciences (SSPM) packages. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in the total weight, average daily weight, average daily feed intake as well as the feed efficiency. Rabbits fed diets 3 (250mg/kg Nutrizyme inclusion) had the best result in terms of the total weight (1068g), average daily (0.25), respectively. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in the digestibility of nutrients among the rabbits as indicated in the results. The crude protein digestibility improved with increased enzyme inclusion in the diets. Rabbits fed the control diet had the least nutrient digestibility. The heamoglobin concentrations, white blood cells and serum metabolites were not significantly influenced (p<0.05) by dietary treatments. The packed cell volumes (PCV) of 36.03 to 41.06% were within the normal values of 35 to 45%, also red blood cell counts and the mean cell heamoglobin concentration (MCHC), were within the range reported for rabbits. Enzyme was found to be good nutrient metabolite that could enhance the growth of weaned rabbits. The already established quantity (125g/ton of feed) should be maintain as either increase or decrease in the internationally recommended quantity did not significantly (p<0.05) affect the zoo-technical performances nutrient digestibility, heamatological and serum metabolites of weaner rabbits.
