REPRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBIT DOES FED ON DISCARDED PALM FRONDS.

Abstract

This study carried out to determine the effects of substitution 25 and 50% of clover hay with discarded palm fronds (DPF) or biologically treated discarded palm fronds (Bio-DPF) in does diet on reproductive, physiological response and economic efficiency of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit does. Twenty five New Zealand White (NZW) does aged 5 months weighting 3140± 26.55g were randomly distributed into 5 experimental treatments (5 does/ treatment). Experimental diets were as follows: diet 1: A control without substitution, while in the other diets contained 5 and 10% untreated and treated discarded palm fronds with Effective microorganisms (EM1) to substitute 25 and 50% of clover hay of control diet. Results could be summarized as follows:Biological treatments was improved chemical composition of DPF which mainly CP content was markedly increased but CF was decreased.Inclusion of Bio-DPF in does diet affected significantly both daily feed intake and change in weight of does during gestation and suckling period compared with other treatments. Diets with Bio-DPF significantly (P≤ 0.05) achieved the best figures  for litter size of and weights from birth up to  weaning that in turn revealed significant (P≤ 0.05)  decreased in mortality rate (%) as compared  to group fed diet contain 50% DPF. Feeding the does on diets contained Bio-DPF significantly (P≤ 0.05) produced the highest milk yield.  Data showed significantly increased in total protein and globulin with Bio-DPF. However, there were significantly decrease in the value of plasma cholesterol and total lipids for rabbits fed on 50%DPF and Bio-DPF. 6- It can be noticed that rabbits fed on the diets contained Bio-DPF had the best economic return compared to other treatments. Conclusively, it could be recommended to incorporate Bio-DPF of the rabbit doe diets to replace up to 50% of clover hay improve their reproductive, physiological traits and  improve economic efficiency.