Physiology and bromatology of Oryctolagus cunicullus L. 1758 fed browse legume with enzyme levels

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of feeding rabbits with Maxigrain® (M) enzyme supplemented Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GLM) on their physiology, performance characteristics, and nutrients digestibility. Twenty weaned rabbits of mixed sexes, 5-6 weeks old, were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments including 0 g M which was soybean without M (control) and GLM supplemented with M at 50, 100, 150 and 200 g M per kilogramme of GLM. There were four rabbits per treatment and one rabbit as replicate in a completely randomized design. There were no significant (p > 0.05) treatment effects in all physiological and performance indices as well as those of crude fat, fibre and NFE digestibilities. There were variations (p < 0.05) due to the treatment effects on dry matter, crude protein and ash digestiblities. This implies that the feeding of soft faeces directly from the caecum called coprophagy mechanism in rabbits has its concomitant nutritional benefits. This advantageous benefit can enable rabbit to effectively and efficiently utilize forage or forage-based diet with or without enzyme supplementation.