Comparative Effect of Differently Processed African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) Kernel Meal on Haematological Parameters of Growing Rabbits

Abstract

The effects of feeding differently processed African star apple kernel meal (ASAKM) on haematological parameters in rabbit were studied. A total of sixty weaner rabbits (mixed breed, average weight, 590 g) were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments comprising of 10 % each of boiled, fermented, roasted and soaked ASAKM as substitute for dietary maize. Diet 1 (0% ASAKM) served as the control diet. Each of the five treatments was replicated thrice. Each replicate had four rabbits in a Completely Randomized Design. The rabbits were fed with the experimental diets for 12 weeks. The results showed that all the parameters measured were not significantly affected by the treatments except white blood cell (WBC) count and monocytes. It was concluded that inclusion of differently processed ASAKM in rabbit diets was well tolerated by growing rabbits without any adverse health condition.