Effect of Hay Mixtures of Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) and Milk Weed (Euphorbia hirta) With Concentrate Diet on Blood Profile of Weaner Rabbit

Sani, I.; Adamu, N.; Eunice, M.; Felix, A. O.; Ahmad, H.

Sani, I. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria.
Adamu, N. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria.
Eunice, M. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria.
Felix, A. O. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria.
Ahmad, H. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria.

Keywords: C. dactylon, E. hirta, Haematology, Biochemical indices, Urea-N

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of hay mixtures of Cynodon dactylon and Euphorbia hirta at different ratios (100% C. dactylon, 75% C. dactylon 25% E. hirta, 50% C. dactylon 25% E. hirta and 75% C. dactylon 25% E. hirta) with concentrate on haematological and biochemical indices of rabbits. Twenty (20) weaner rabbits were used for the experiment, rabbits were allotted to four dietary Treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) consisting of five rabbits per treatment in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Results showed White Blood Cell (WBC) after feeding ranged from 7.94-15.80x10³mm³ in Treatment 3 (50%CD:50%EH) and treatment 4 (75%CD:25%EH) respectively, with animals on Treatment 4 having highest (P<0.05) WBC (15.80x10³mm³). Similarly, blood haemoglobin concentration in rabbits was highest (P<0.05) in animals fed 25%CD:75%ED (17.20 g/100ml) compared to 11.70 g/100ml in Treatment 3 probably due to higher Fe⁺⁺ in E. hirta leaves. After feeding, blood chemistry was not significant (P>0.05) for creatinine, calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). 100% C. dactylon had highest (P<0.05) glucose, while Treatment 4 (50%CD:50%EH) had least value indicating a reduction in energy content of diet as E. hirta increased in diets. Urea-N was higher (P<0.05) for animals in Treatment 4 (8.75 mmol/l), but lowest (2.75 mmol/l) in treatment 3. It was observed that Treatment 4 (25%CD:75%EH) had best value (P<0.05) for haemoglobin, WBC, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in haematology while Treatment 2 (75%CD:25%EH) had best value (P<0.05) for creatinine, blood urea, albumin, ALP. Conclusively, C. dactylon and E. hirta hay can be mixed in the diets of weaner rabbits upto 25%:75% with concentrate without adverse effect on the blood profile of the rabbits.

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