A total number of 90 weanling New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits of both sexes, 5 weeks old with an average initial live body weight of 550.5 ± 20.23(g) was used in this study to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of different levels of moringa hay (which composed of leaves 50 % + twigs 50%) as a partial substitute for alfalfa hay on productive performance, carcass traits and economic efficiency. The animals were randomly allotted into three experimental groups (30 each). The first group (A) was fed the basal diet as control, while the second (B) and third groups (C) were fed diets containing Moringa oleifera hay as a replacement of 50% and 75% of alfalfa hay in the basal diet, respectively throughout the growing period (5-13 week of age).
The obtained results showed that live body weight at 9 and 13 weeks of age, weight gain, daily weight gain and relative growth rate during the different experimental periods increased significantly (P<0.01) for growing NZW rabbits fed Diet B and Diet C than those fed the control one Diet A . However, rabbits fed Diet C showed the highest values (P <0.05) of daily weight gain during the period from 9-13 weeks of age as compared with those fed Diet B or those fed basal diet (Diet A). Mortality percentages during the different experimental periods of study decreased significantly (P<0.01) for growing NZW rabbits fed Diet B and Diet C than those fed Diet A (control one). The differences in daily feed intake during the period from 5-13 weeks were insignificant among all the experimental groups. Growing NZW rabbits fed Diet B and Diet C recorded the best feed conversion ratio (P618 ABD ALLAH et al.
diet (Diet A) during all experimental periods. The economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency (R.E.E.) for rabbits fed Diet C or Diet B was superior than those fed Diet A (control group). Most of carcass traits for rabbits fed Diet B or C were increased (P<0.05) than those fed Diet A (control group). However, the differences in trunk %, hind limbs weight and percentages, fore limbs %, liver weight and percentages, kidney weight and percentages, edible weight and percentages and inedible weight and percentages were not significant. The differences in chemical composition of meat between the growing NZW rabbits either fed different level of Moringa oleifera hay (leaves +twigs) as a substitute for alfalfa hay in the diet or control animals were insignificant.
Conclusively, the results of the present study demonstrated that, Moringa oleifera hay (leaves+ twigs) is supportive as unconventional source of protein for feeding growing rabbits and could be added in the diet at levels up to 15% to replace about 75% of alfalfa hay without any adverse effects on productive traits of growing NZW rabbits.