الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 76 |  |  |
| | | from | 76 | | |
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of using Panicum maximum hay (PMH) as an alternative to clover hay in rabbit diets. A total of 60 New Zealand White (NZW) weaned male rabbits, 6 weeks old and average body weight of 720±0.42g were allotted to four dietary groups (15 rabbits in each). The control group was fed a basal diet contained 36% clover hay (D1), the other three tested groups fed on the diets contained 12%, 24% and 36% PMH to replace the clover hay of basal diet (D2, D3 , and D4 respectively). Rabbits were fed ad libitum pelleted feed. The experiment extended for 8 weeks. The obtained results showed that the chemical analysis of PMH was 12.18 %CP , 28.38% CF, 1.4% EE, 12.63% ash, and 37.41 % NFE. The results of the feeding trial indicated that feed intake, digestibility coefficients of CF and NFE, nutritive values (TDN and DE), daily body gain , FCR and carcass percentage slightly in significantly (P< 0.05) declined with increasing the PMH replacement level up to 24%(D2 and D3) and significantly (P<0.05) decreased with the highest replacement level (D4) compared with the control. On the other hand, using PMH as a replacement for clover hay improved the net revenue by increasing the PMH level as a result of reducing the total feed cost, and the highest replacement level (100%). gave the best relative economic efficiency than control (114%). Semen quality and the tested hematological parameters of male rabbits were within the normal range and the histological changes did not negatively affect the physiological activities of rabbits which indicated that the growing rabbits have a good physiological, and nutritional status. In conclusion, the inclusion of PMH instead of clover hay can be used as an alternative and more economical feed than clover hay in rabbit diets.