Haematological Indices, Feed and Water Intake of Grower Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Fed Graded Levels of Sheabutter (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) Nut Meal

Abstract

Sixty grower rabbits were allotted to five treatments designated as T1: 0.0% SNM; T2: 2.0% SNM; T3: 4.0% SNM, T4: 6.0% SNM and T5: 8.0% SNM. Data were collected on haematological indices, feed and water intake. Results showed that the feed intake value was 2.7 kg/wk (T5), 2.63 kg/wk (T1), 2.61 kg/wk (T2), 2.8 kg/wk (T4) and 2.97 kg/wk (T2) in weeks 1 to 5, but increased from 3.03 kg/wk in T5 (6th week) to 3.49 kg/wk (control diets) in week 9. In week 2, water intake values ranged from 4.42 l/wk (T1) to 4.6 1/wk (T3) and there was an increase from a range of 4.7 to 4.82 l/wk in week 3 to as high as 5.26 l/wk in week 9 (T4). Haemoglobin value ranged from 7.0 g/dl (T1) to 11.9 g/dl (T5), packed cell volume (27.7 to 40.0%), red blood cells (2.17 to 3.73 x 10¹²/l) and white blood cells were highest (6.48 x 10⁹/l) in T5. The haematological indices evaluated were within the normal range of values reported thus, sheabutter nut meal maybe utilized in rabbit nutrition up to 8.0%, probably with mild or no detrimental effects.