HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF GROWER RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING VARYING LEVELS OF INDIAN SIRIS (Albizia lebbeck) FRUITS

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the haematological indices of grower rabbits fed on Indian siris (Albizialebbeck) fruits. Thirty-six rabbits were allotted to four dietary treatments containing Albizialebbeck fruits at 0, 5, 10 and 15% inclusion levels. The rabbits were housed in cages, feed and clean water were supplied and all other management practices were adhered. Blood samples were collected into plastic bottles containing Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic acid (EDTA) for haematological studies. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant differences between treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The result showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hgb), red blood cell counts (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC) and lymphocytes (lymph) count while neutrophils, monocytes and bands showed no significant (p>0.05) difference.Packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell and lymphocytes were significantly (p<0.05) higher in growing rabbits fed diet containing Albizia lebbeck fruits at 15% inclusion level and least in the other treatment groups. White blood cell count was higher in rabbits fed diet containing 5% Albizia lebbeck fruits and least in rabbits fed the control diet. Therefore, it was concluded that Albizia lebbeck fruits can be included in the diet of growing rabbits up to 15% without any adverse effect on haematological indices