EFFECT OF FEEDING DIETS CONTAINING DRIED GREEN BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) VINES ON PERFORMANCE OF GROWING APRI RABBITS

A total of seventy APRI rabbits were chosen after weaned at 5 weeks of age and randomly divided into 5 similar groups (14 rabbits/group) according to their initial live body weight (656.96±2.67g), to evaluate the utilization of dried green bean vines (GBV) in feeding growing rabbits and its effect on growth performance, nutrients digestibilities, carcass traits, some blood parameters, cecum activity as well as economic efficiency. Rabbits were fed ad-libitum on diets containing 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% dried GBV for groups D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, respectively. The five diets were formulated according to the Agriculture Ministry Decree Recommendation (1996). At the end of the experimental period (15 weeks of age), digestibility trials were carried out to determine the digestibility and the feeding values of the experimental diets. In addition, four rabbits were slaughtered from each group to test the carcass traits, some blood parameters and cecum activity. The experimental diets were fed to growing rabbits for 10 weeks post-weaning period. Results revealed that the dried GBV contained 2243 kcal digestible energy/kg, 12.70% crude protein, 21.59% crude fiber, 1.60% ether extract, 15.77% ash, 2.05% calcium 0.18% phosphorus and amino acids such as 1.02% aspartic acid, 0.90% glutamic acid, 0.12% methionine and 0.40% lysine (as fed). Final body weights (at 15 weeks of age) were insignificant higher with tested diets (D2, D3 and D4) and significant lower with tested diets (D5), compared with control one (D1). The same trend among the experimental diets was observed with the total weight gain over 5-15 weeks. Total feed intake during the whole experimental period was significant lower with D5, compared to that of D2, D3, D4 and control diet (D1). Feed conversion was insignificant better with diets contained 10 up to 30% dried GBV than that of control one, while the diet contained the highest level of dried GBV (D5) was achieved significantly the worst one in comparison of control diet, over the whole experimental period. In comparison with control diet, most nutrients digestibilities of most tested diets did not affected significantly. Diets involved up to 30% dried GBV had achieved the best results in respect of pre-slaughter weight and empty carcass weight as well as dressing percentage in comparison with control and the other tested diets (D4 and D5). Level of 10, 20 and 30% dried GBV recorded insignificantly higher values of CP and ash contents and the lowest content of EE of rabbit meat compared to the control and D5 groups. Dried GBV had slightly changes on blood constituents of experimental rabbits. Insignificantly higher concentrations of TVFA´s were observed in the cecum contents of rabbits fed on the different levels of dried GBV compared to the control group. Inversely pH of cecum content and ammonia-N concentrations were insignificantly decreased compared with control diet. While cecum weight had significantly the highest value in D5 diet. Profitability and economic efficiency were markedly improved with dried GBV up to 30% compared to control diet. In conclusion dried GBV could be used in feeding of growing rabbits up to 30% with no adverse effect on productive performance, carcass traits, physiological functions and economic efficiency.