A response of feed utilization, nutrient digestibility, growth and economic return of crossbred rabbits to replacement of broccoli leaves (Brassica oleracea) to para grass (Brachiaria mutica) as a basal diet

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of Broccoli leaf replacement in the basal diets of Para grass on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and economic returns of crossbred rabbits. The sixty rabbits were arranged in a complete randomized design with 5 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were Broccoli leaf (BL) replacement to paragrass (DM basis) at levels of 0 (BL0), 20 (BL20), 40 (BL40), 60 (BL60) and 80% (BL80). The dry matter (DM) intake was not significantly different among treatments. The CP intake was significantly higher (P<0.01) for the BL60 and BL80 treatments (12.2 and 12.5 g/rabbit/day, respectively) as compared to the others. The significantly higher daily weight gains (21.8 and 21.4 g/rabbit/day) were in the BL60 and BL80 treatments (P<0.01). The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, EE and NDF increased proportionally to the increasing levels of Broccoli leaf replacement in diets. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.01), except for EE digestibility (P>0.05). The nitrogen intake and nitrogen retention ranged from 1.31 to 1.42 g/kg W0.75 and 0.70 to 0.78 g/kg W0.75, however they were not significantly different among the treatments (P>0.05). The results of this study indicated that Broccoli leaves could be used as a plant protein source for feeding rabbits. The levels of Broccoli leaves from 60 to 80% (DM basis) in Para grass as basal diet gave better growth performance and economic benefits.