Effect of adding Fenugreek seeds powder to local buck rabbits rations on some production and blood traits

Abstract

Thirty six of weaned male rabbits of 4-5 weeks of age and average 315-318 g in weight were divided into three treatments of 12 rabbits per treatment and used in a 8 weeks feeding trial for production efficiency. The rabbits were fed one rations contain crude protein 16.12% and metabolizable energy (2684 Kcal/ Kg. feed), but Fenugreek seeds powder was added to control ration as 4 or 8 g/kg.feed (T1; control ration without fenugreek seeds powder, T2; control ration added 4 g fenugreek seeds powder/kg. feed and T3; control ration added 8 g fenugreek seeds powder/ kg.feed). Total gain, feed consumption rate and feed conversion ratio were calculated. The blood samples were obtained from Marginal ear vein from all rabbits at the end of trail some blood parameters as red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packet cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and biochemical parameters as total protein, albumen, globulin, triglyceride, cholesterol and glucose were syudied. At the end of trail all rabbits were slaughtered and some carcass traits as hot and cold carcass, dressing percentages, edible giblets, not-edible giblets, external giblets and carcass cuts, were studied. The results indicated that adding Fenugreek seeds powder to fattening ration has significantly (p≤0.05) effect almost all production and blood traits. The total gain, total feed consumption, final weights, hot and cold carcass weights, dressing and abdominal fat percentages, red and white cell counts, hemoglobin, packet cell volume and cholesterol were increased significantly (p≤0.05), while feed efficiency and glucose were decreased significantly (p≤0.05) for rabbits fed control ration added 8g fenugreek seeds powder/kg.feed (T3) as compared to other rabbits fed another rations (T1 and T2). While no significant effect were found for adding fenugreek seeds powder to fattening rations on total fat and percentages of total edible, not- edible, giblets, total protein, albumin and globulin.