Effect Of Exogenous Enzyme (Ronozyme® Hiphos), Feed Form And Dietary Moringa Seed Cake on Growth Performance, Blood Indices, Carcass and Organoleptic Attributes of Weaned Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus).

Abstract

The investigation of the effect of exogenous enzyme (Ronozyme® hiphos), feed form and dietary moringa seed cake on the growth performance, blood indices, carcass, and organoleptic attributes of weaned rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was carried out at the rabbit unit of the Department of Animal Science Education, Akenten Appiah-Minka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Asante Mampong, Ghana. The experiment started from February 5, 2024 and ended on April 22, 2024. A total of twenty-four eight-week-old weaner rabbits were used in the study, with an initial average weight of 881g using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replications, (1 rabbit per replicate). T1 (20 % M-E), T2 (20 % M+E), T3 (20 % P-E), T4 (20 % P+E), T5 (25 % M-E), T6 (25 % M+E), T7 (25 % P-E), and T8 (25 % P+E) were the treatment combinations. The statistix analytical software package version 10.0 (2024) was used to analyse the data with the aid of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Tukey's test was used to separate the means at the 5 % (P < 0.05) level. The study showed that none of the growth characteristics examined was significantly (P < 0.05) impacted by the amount of moringa seed cake, feed form and enzyme. There was an observed significant (P < 0.05) interactive relationship between the weights of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. The feed form had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the meat's tenderness. The interactions significantly impact cost, with mash feed without enzyme (M-E) being the most economical option. The study demonstrates that a 20 % inclusion of moringa seed cake (MSC) in rabbit diets provides an economical option without sacrificing growth performance. The Gh₵ 7.454 feed cost per kilogram at 20 % MSC was significantly lower compared to Gh₵ 8.808 at 25 %, with no significant differences in feed intake or weight gain. Comparatively these are less expensive or cheaper than the conventional protein sources such as soyabean meal and fishmeal which are sold at Gh₵ 11.40 and Gh₵ 12.60 per kilogramme respectively.