Growth performance of heat stressed rabbits fed diets supplemented with synthetic and organic antioxidants

Résumé

The aimof the studywas to evaluate the growth performance of heat stressed rabbits fed diets supplemented with synthetic and organic antioxidants. The antioxidants used were bicarbonate buffers, vitamin C and baobab fruit pulp meal (BFPM). A total of thirty (30) growing rabbits were used. The rabbits were allotted into the treatment groups with six (6) rabbits per treatment in a completely randomized design. Rabbits in the first group (T ) were the control, animals in treatment 2 and treatment 3 (T ) and (T ) were fed similar diets as in the control but with potassium bicarbonate (KHCO ) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO ) buffer solutions, respectively. Rabbits in treatment four (T ) were fed diet containing synthetic vitamin C and the fifth group (T ) were fed diet containing Baobab Fruit PulpMeal (BFPM). Rabbits were given access to feed and water ad libitum. All recommended managerial practices were duly observed.Microclimate parameters of ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) of the rabbitry were taken daily from February through June. The values were used to calculate temperature-humidity index (THI). It was found that vitamin C and BFPM significantly (P<0.05) enhanced feed intake compared to the treatments with buffers. It was concluded that BFPM is more effective in ameliorating heat stress in rabbit production and can be used up to 5.5% inclusion level.