Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Animal Production

The main target of this study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion some legume crops hay (Bean vines hay; BVH, pea vines hay; PVH and peanut vines hay; PNVH) as a partial substitution of clover hay (25 and 50%) without or with Galzym (0.5g/kg diet, as recommended by the manufacturer) in growing NZW rabbit diets on their growth performance, nutrients digestibility, nutritive value, cecum activity, carcass characteristics, plasma constituents and economic efficiency. Accordingly, a total of 14 experimental treatments were evaluated (3x2x2 + the control without Galzym and control with Galzym=14 treatments). The experimental pelleted diets were formulated to to be isonitrogenous (~ 17% CP), iso-caloric (~ 2600 Kcal DE/Kg diet) and to satisfy the nutrients requirements of growing rabbits according to Lebas (2004). Results of the experiment showed that rabbit groups fed BVH and PVH had best values (P{u2264}0.05) of average daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio than those fed PNVH diet. Feeding rabbits on tested legumes veins hay at 50% declined (P{u2264}0.05) average daily feed intake as compared to the 25% level. There was significant (P{u2264}0.05) increase in DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE digestibility and nutritive value in form of TDN, DCP and DE with rabbit groups fed BVH and PVH diet compared to rabbits group fed PNVH. Digestion coefficients (DM% and NFE %) and nutritive values (TDN% and DE kcal/kg) were better significantly (P{u2264}0.05) by substitution level 25% than 50% level. Feeding rabbits on PNVH resulted in significant lower content of total volatile fatty acids than those of BVH and PVH diets. Legumes veins hay source, levels of substitution and Galzym had no significant effect on all tested carcass characteristics. Values of total protein, albumin, Globulin, AST, ALT, creatinine, urea and cholesterol were found to be within the normal range of plasma blood analysis. All experimental diets improved economic efficiency in comparison to the control diet. According to circumstances of this experiment it could be recommended to replace clover hay with BVH, PVH and PNVH up to 50% without any adverse effects on rabbit performance

Issued also as CD