Abstract

The current study investigated the effect of replacement of Untreated Orange Pulp (UOP) and Treated Orange Pulp (TOP) protein by basal diet protein on growth performance, digestion coefficients, some blood constitute of rabbits and economic efficiency of growing rabbit diets. Sixty cross bread (New Zealand White, NZW X California), six weeks of age with live body weight ranging from 729.20 to 738.30g were divided to five experimental groups. The experimental diets were T1, control diet without OP; T2, 5%UOP; T3, 5% TOP; T4, 10%UOP and T5, 10%TOP. The results indicated that TOP by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast increased content of the crude protein (%) and digestible energy (Kcal/kg). The best Final Body Weight (FBW, g), Body Weight Gain (BWG, g/R/day) and feed conversion ratio recorded in 5%TOP group. Digestion coefficient of Crude Protein and Digestible Crude Protein (DCP%) were significantly (P˂ 0.05) increased in rabbits fed low replacement level of OP (5% UOP and 5%TOP). Total lipid of plasma was significantly differences (P˂ 0.05) in groups fed experimental diets compared to control group. Liver function was significantly affected by experimental diets, yeast treatment and replacement level of OP. Best economic efficiency observed with 10%UOP followed by 5%TOP. It was concluded that rabbit group fed 5%TOP recorded a better performance, best digestibility for CP%, DCP and economic efficiency. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast treatment didn't effect on digestibility and nutritive value of growing rabbits.