Growth response and haematological parameters of juvenile rabbits fed concentrate diets supplemented with varying levels of tridax procumbens

Abstract

Effects of feeding growing rabbit with varying dietary levels of concentrate diet supplemented with graded Tridax procumbens was studied in a feeding trial with respect to weight changes, haematological and serological characteristics. Thirty six hybrid fryers were used in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD). Dietary treatment produced significant (P<0.05) effect on weight changes. Increasing levels of crude protein in the concentrate diet supplemented with graded Tridax procubens resulted in marked and steady increase in body weight of rabbits. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in haematological and serological characteristics of the rabbits. The 14% crude protein diet with Tridax procubens supplementation produced the highest WBC, Neutrophils and monocytes while the 16% crude protein diet with Tridax procumbens gave the best serum chemistry. Findings suggested that concentrate diet containing not less than 14% crude protein with Tridax procumbens supplement were adequate for optimum weight changes and improved blood system of growing rabbits in the humid tropics.