Ishaya B Kaga
The growth and haematological response of growing rabbits to diets containing Delonix regia seeds were studied for a period of 63 days. Forty (40) weaner rabbits with an average weight of 390-590 g obtained from College of Agriculture and Science Mando Kaduna State Nigeria, were assigned to eight dietary treatments containing Delonix regia seeds cooked at 100°C for 0,15,30,45,60,75 and 90 minutes respectively. The rabbit were assigned in such that their aged, sizes and group weights were balanced as much as possible. The animals were allowed to adjust to the test diets and cages for 7 days before the start of the experiment.
During the period of acclimatization, the rabbits were dewormed with invermatin injection. Each of the treatments contained five (5) rabbits in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD). All cages were supplied feeders and drinkers. The diet were formulated to contain over 18% crude protein and fortified with minerals and Vitamin premix in accordance with NRC nutrient requirements for rabbits. Proximate analysis and haematological parameters were determined. So also average daily feed in take average, weight gain, feed deficiency and cost per kg lived weight were calculated using the prevailing market price of that season.
Initial and final weights were also observed. Generally, Delonix regia seed diets performed better than the control group as the duration of cooking increases up to 60 minutes of cooking. Feed efficiency also increases significantly (P<0.05) as the duration of cooking increases. Numerically, rabbits fed on seeds cooked for 60 minutes had the highest feed consumed and the best feed efficiency. The best Packed Cell Volume (PCV) was obtained from the control diet. The absence of monocyte and eosinophils indicated that Delonix regia seed diets could be fed to rabbit from 30-50% inclusion without causing any side effect, thus providing a cheaper source of feeding and feeding conversion ratio.