Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the impact of horseradish (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal (MOLM) inclusion in the diets of weaned rabbits on growth, carcass characteristics, and reproductive performance. The experiment involved twenty-four female and four male weaned rabbits, all of New Zealand White and American Chinchilla breeds, aged between 4-6 weeks, with a mean weight ranging from 363-460 g. The rabbits were divided into four treatment groups, each consisting of six rabbits, and the experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were fed four diets designated as T1, T2, T3, and T4, with MOLM inclusion levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. The study spanned 12 weeks for growth evaluation and 16 weeks for reproductive and carcass phase analysis.
The analysis revealed that horseradish (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal contained various anti-nutritional factors, all of which were below lethal levels: tannin (21.19 mg/100 g), phytate (2.57 mg/100 g), trypsin inhibitor (3.00 mg/100 g), saponin (1.00 mg/100 g), and oxalates (0.45 mg/100 g). Growth phase parameters, including final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), were assessed. Notably, the rabbits fed with 20% MOLM (T3) exhibited the highest final body weight (3135.90 g), daily weight gain (31.90 g), and daily feed intake (83.42 g). Furthermore, the significantly lower FCR (2.62) for rabbits in the 20% MOLM inclusion group indicated improved feed utilization, while the highest FCR (10.25) in T4 suggested poor feed utilization at that level of MOLM inclusion.
The study also examined reproductive parameters, with T3 showing the highest size (3.33) at weaning and a survival rate of 66.60%. Additionally, T2 and T3 displayed excellent performance with mean litter weights at weaning of 442.30 g and 408.40 g, as well as litter weight gains of 462.52 g and 421.84 g, respectively. Carcass cuts and organ weights did not significantly differ across treatments, except for lumber-sacral (13.17 g in T2), full intestine (9.95% in T4), and abdominal fat (4.33 in T2).
In conclusion, the study found that anti-nutritional factors in Moringa oleifera leaf meal were present at non-lethal levels. The 20% MOLM inclusion level resulted in significantly better daily weight gain and feed intake compared to the control group, indicating improved growth and reproductive performance. Rabbits fed with 20% Moringa oleifera also demonstrated better digestibility of ether extract, ash, and nitrogen-free extract. Conversely, 10% and 20% MOLM inclusion levels had the highest lumber-sacral weight. The 30% MOLM inclusion level had the highest values for full intestine and abdominal fat. Thus, it was concluded that including 20% MOLM in the rabbit diet had no adverse effects on growth, carcass characteristics, or reproductive parameters. Therefore, it is recommended that 20% horseradish (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal can be safely included in rabbit diets to enhance growth, reproductive performance, and carcass quality.
HORSERADISH LEAF MEAL IMPACT ON WEANED RABBIT GROWTH, CARCASS TRAITS, AND REPRODUCTION, GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
