IMPACT OF PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF ALFALFA HAY WITH PRICKLY PEAR PEELS ( PPPS) ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS.

Forty New Zealand white rabbits (NZW) male rabbits weighed 500+6 g were used in the present study to determine the effect of using residues prickly pear peels of a source of dietary feedstuffs on productive performance, digestibility, some blood constituents and Economic efficiency of rabbit. The animals were divided into four experimental groups of 10 rabbits each. The experimental diets replacing hay with prickly pear peels (ppps) at portion ( 0.0, ,25, 50 and 75%)) respectively. Results obtained could be summarized as follow: The final live body weight, total weight gain and performance index were significantly (p> 0.05) affected by experimental treatment groups. The highest (p> 0.05) values of live body weight, total weight gain and performance index were recorded by rabbits fed 75 % (ppps) Inclusion (1986.5g, 1489g and 73.30 %) followed by received Inclusion level 50 % (ppps) ( 1946.97g, 1416.37g and 68.31 %), respectively compared with the 25 % (ppps) ( 1836.97g, 1339.37g and 59.45 %) or control ( 1778.75g, 1283.45g and 53.74 %),respectively. Feed intake (g), protein intake, and digestible energy intake were significantly (p> 0.05) decreased with increasing (ppps) levels. Rabbits fed (ppps) (75%) diet recorded a significant bester feed conversion ratio (FCR) value followed by those of 50 %, 25 and control respectively. Digestibility coefficient and nutritive values (DM, CP, CF, TDN and DE) were significantly improved for rabbits fed diet contained (ppps) compared to those fed the control diet. Cecal PH value and NH3 –N concentrations were higher (p> 0.05) in the control group than those of the treatment groups. Concentration of TVFAS was lower in control whereas the highest was obtained by treatment 75 % of (ppps) (p> 0.05). Also inclusion of tested material significantly (p> 0.05) increased dressing percentage and carcass weight. Plasma concentrations of total proteins, albumin and globulin were increased (p> 0.05) whereas ALT, AST, total lipids, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were decreased (p> 0.05) by treatments of (ppps). The best Economical efficiency and relative economical efficiency values were recorded with rabbits fed 75 % (ppps) inclusion followed by rabbits received 50 % and 25 % treatment of (ppps) respectively it could be concluded that replacing hay with prickly pear peels (ppps) at portion (25, 50 and 75%) into diets recorded the beneficial growth performance, nutrients digestibility, and the best Economical efficiency of NZW Rabbits.