PERFORMANCE, BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND CARCASS QUALla Y ATTRIBUTES OF RABBITS FED RAW AND PROCESSED PUERARIA SEED MEAL

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of inclusion of raw, toasted and cooked (boiling) Pueraria seed meals at 20'% in tile ration elf rabbits 0x1 performance, blood variables and carcass quality attributes in an eight week feeding trial. Raw Pueraria seed meal contained 30.63% crude protein, 7% crude fiber, 10% ether extract, 6% ash and 40.26% nitrogen free extra. Toasting and cooking processes had no significant effect on the proximate composition except for the fact content. Feed intake, weight gain and feed: gain ratio of rabbits fed 20% coked Pueraria seed meal were similar to the control group. But they differed significantly from rabbits placed on diets with 20% raw or toasted Pueraria seed meal. Lower (P<0.05) serum urea and creatinine, higher (P<0.05) serum total protein, red blood cell (RBC) packed cell Volume (PCV), harmoglohin (Hb) dressing percentage and carcass weight obtained in rabbits fed diet with 20% cooked boiled Pueraria seed meal confirmed the superiority of this diet those with 20% raw and roasted Pueraria seed meal .Cooking (boiling) of Pueraria seed improved the Palatability and efficiency of nutrient utilization of the seed meal.