EFFECT OF FEEDING BIOLOGICALLY TREATED CORN STALKS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING RABBITS

El-Shahat,, A. A.; Hessein, A. H.; Omar, H. A.A.; Khalafallaha, M. A.; Morad, A. A.A.; Fadel, M.

doi:10.21608/jappmu.2006.235620

EFFECT OF FEEDING BIOLOGICALLY TREATED CORN STALKS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING RABBITS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Anlmal Production Dept., National Research Centre, Dokkl, Cairo.

² Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, AI- Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo.

³ Agricultural Microbiology Dept., National Research Centre, Dokkl, Cairo.

⁴ Microbial Chemistry Dept... National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo.

10.21608/jappmu.2006.235620

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was improving the nutritional values of
corn stalks as an example of poor quality roughage and to improve its utilization by
animals. Therefore, sixty-four New Zealand White rabbits of five weeks old were
randomly distributed into four groups of sixteen rabbits each. The animals of the first
three groups were fed on rations contained corn stalks treated biologically with
Trichoderma viride (T. viride), with 10%, 20% or 30% respectively. whilst those of the
fourth group were given ration without T. viride (0%, eg. the commercial diet).
At the end of the experimental period. which lasted for 12 weeks three rabbits from
each treatment were selected and slaughtered to study the different carcass
characters. All the results were subjected to analysis of variance.
The most important results obtained in the present study could be summarized as
follows:
1- It was observed that replacement of berseem hay by biologically treated corn stalks
at different levels did not affect statistically on daily body weight gain. On the other
hand, daily feed consumption had been affected significantly by treatment
differences.
2- It was noted that replacement of berseem hay by biologically treated corn stalks at
different levels may improve feed conversion values.
3‘ The results of slaughter weight (SW), carcass weight (CW), empty body weight
(EBW) and dressing percentage (DP) were not significantly affected by replacement
of berseem hay by biologically treated corn stalks.
4- Marked differential effects due to different biological treatment had been observed
on weights and percentages of testis relative to carcass weight and empty body
weight. 0n the other hand. results of the other edible organs did not show any
significant effects due to biological treatment.
5- Weights and percentages of different carcass cuts (fore legs, thoracic cage, loin
and hind legs) were not influenced by dietary treatments.
6- Crude protein and ash percentages of L. dorsi muscle were not influenced
statistically by the biological treatment differences. On the other hand, the dietary
treatments affected significantly dry matter and ether extract contents.
Finally, based upon the present results, it could be suggested that T. viride can
be used safely to enrich poor quality roughages such as corn stalks, and that fungus
(T. viride) can be used successfully to improve the utilization of untraditional rabbit
feed stuffs.
Likewise, upon the basis of the present investigation, it could be stated that the
biological treatments of rabbit rations can be used safely without adverse effect on
growth performance and health of animals. So. it can be recommended as it is easy to
be applied by farmers.