Effect of Chickpea Screenings by-Products as Untraditional Energy Source on Growth Performance and Digestibility of Growing Rabbits

Abstract

his work aimed to study the effects of partial and complete substitution of barley by chickpea screenings by-products (CSB) at levels 25, 50, 75 and 100% in rabbit diets on growth performance and nutrients digestibility of New Zealand White rabbits. Seventy five rabbits, five weeks old with an average body weight 786.73 g±32.02 were randomly divided into five groups. Each group included five replicates (three rabbits each). Results of growth trail revealed that rabbits fed 25% and 50% CSB achieved significantly (P<0.05) better ADG by 10.56%; 12.52% compared with the control group. Besides, FCR values were significantly (P<0.05) better with rabbits group fed 25 and 50% CSB than the control group (3.65 and 3.74 vs. 4.16 g feed/g gain). Nutrients digestibility increased (P<0.05) with the rabbit groups fed 25 or 50% CSB diets in comparison to the control group. The recorded values were 69.20 and 69.44% vs. 63.88% for DM; 71.51 and 71.56% vs.66.12% for OM.; 70.55 and 72.30% vs. 63.77% for CP.; 52.40 and 51.80% vs. 42.75% for CF.; 75.61 and 75.31% vs.71.60% for NFE, respectively. Accordingly, rabbit groups fed 25 or 50% CSB recorded higher (P<0.05) values of DCP, TDN and DE in comparison with the other experimental groups. Total VFA values were higher (P<0.05) with rabbit groups fed CSB at 25 and 50% CSB diets (5.98 and 5.79 meq/100ml). Higher increases (P<0.05) in hot carcass weight were observed in rabbits group fed 50% CSB diets than the control group. On the other hand, 100% CSB diets recorded the lowest (P<0.05) hot carcass weight, dressing %, Heart% and total edible parts. Significant (P<0.05) higher values of plasma total protein and urea-N were detected in rabbits fed diets contained 50% CSB than the control group. While, both groups fed 75 and 100% CSB had nearly comparable values of total protein and lower (P<0.05) concentrations of plasma total cholesterol compared with the control group. Inclusion of 25, 50, 75 and 100% CSB improved economical efficiency and net revenue compared to the control group. It could be concluded that substitution of chickpea screenings by-products as non-traditional energy source in rabbit diets at 25, 50, 75 and 100% instead of barley has no negative effect on growth performance and digestibility of most nutrients and nutritive values of tested diets indicating that it could be considered as promising source of energy for incorporation into rabbit's diets.

Growth Performance, Nutrients Digestibility and Carcass Measurements of Growing Rabbits Fed Diets Incorporated With Lentil or Chickpea Screening by-Products.

“…In regard to kidneys function, rabbits fed diets included 30% LSBP and 15 or 30% CSBP had a significant decrease (P<0.05) in creatinine levels compared with 15% LSBP and the control group. Similar results were observed by Hassan et al (2016) who reported insignificant differences in globulin between rabbits fed diets contained chickpea screenings by-products at levels of 25, 50, 75 and 100% of barley compared to the control group, while rabbits fed 50% chickpea screenings by-product had higher (P<0.05) plasma total protein concentration than the control group. The present results disagreed with findings reported by Algam et al (2012) who demonstrated that 10% chickpea had no significant effect on plasma total protein of broiler chicks.…”

“…However, it is clearly noticed insignificant differences in DCP%, TDN% and DE Kcal/kg among the control group and the other tested groups. On the contrary, Hassan et al, (2016) demonstrated that rabbits group fed 25 or 50% chickpea screenings by-products recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE compared with the other tested levels of 0, 75 and 100% chickpea screenings by-products. As well the digestibility and biological value of chickpea nutrients are high for poultry (Brenes et al, 2008 andNalle, 2009).…”

“…While, the best of FCR was recorded by turkey group fed 25% lentil by-products. Additionally, Hassan et al (2016) stated that rabbits fed 25% and 50% chickpea screenings by-products achieved significantly (P<0.05) better average daily gain by 10.56% and 12.52%, respectively and better FCR (3.65 and 3.74 vs. 4.16 g feed/g gain) than the control group. In the present study, although rabbits did not have a significant improvement in growth performance, no deterioration in growth performance was observed during the growth experimental period.…”

“…However, trypsin inhibitor limits the inclusion of chickpeas at high levels and excessive amounts may cause digestive problems (Hawthorne, 2006). In this respect, Hassan et al (2016) mentioned that the chickpea screenings by-products seem to be satisfactory an energy source for the weaned rabbit and it could be used at 25 and 50% in replacement of barley as a non-conventional feedstuff without any detrimental effects on the growth performance. In the same concern, lentil screenings had tannin concentrations of 1.4% (expressed as catechin equivalents) (Stanford et al 1999), but this is not present in sufficient quantities to depress animal performance (Mavromichalis, 2013).…”

“…In the same concern, lentil screenings had tannin concentrations of 1.4% (expressed as catechin equivalents) (Stanford et al 1999), but this is not present in sufficient quantities to depress animal performance (Mavromichalis, 2013). Furthermore, Chickpea screenings byproducts contained 4.57 g/100g DM phytic acid; 0.90 g/kg saponins and 1.44g/kg tannins (Hassan et al, 2016), so there are some constraints to the inclusion levels of chickpea and lentil screenings by-products in rabbit diets. It is worth to note that bioactive compounds like polyphenol and high nutritional compositions of chickpea and lentil screening by-products are highly associated with improving the rabbit's health.…”