Response of Growing Rabbits to Diets Containing Different Levels of Protein and Mustard Seeds (Sinapisalba Linn)

A total number of 54 male growing New Zealand rabbits were used to study the effect of two different levels of ration protein supplemented with Mustard seeds(Sinapis alba Linn). Rabbits were classified into six equal groups (G1-G6). The 1st and 4th groups received basal ration with 100 % and 90 % protein requirement and served as first and second control respectively. The 2nd and the 3rd groups received basal ration with 100 % protein requirement supplemented withSinapisalba Linn at the level of 0.5 and 1.0 %, respectively. The 5th and 6th groups received basal ration with 90 % protein requirement with Sinapisalba Linn at the level of 0.5 and 1.0 %, respectively. The low level of protein (90% of protein requirement containing diet) significantly increased (P<0.05) DM, OM, CP, CF and NFE digestibility and TDN value compared to 100% of protein requirement. The high level of supplementation (1% Mustard seeds) significantly (P<0.05) improved all nutrient digestibility coefficients and nutritive values. The 90% protein ration with 1 % mustard seeds (G6) showed the best digestion coefficients of DM, OM, CP, EE and NFE and TDN value. However, the 100% of protein requirement with 1 % mustard seeds containing diet (G3) showed the high value of DCP. Inclusion Mustard seeds at 1% in rabbit diets significantly (P<0.05) increased all nutrient digestibility and nutritive values compared to control diet. Inclusion Mustard seeds at 0.5% significantly (P<0.05) increased the DM and EE digestibility and total digestible nutrient compared to control diet. The interaction between the protein and mustard seeds levels significantly (P<0.05) increased the all nutrient digestibility coefficients (DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE) and nutritive values (TDN and DCP). Inclusion Mustard seeds at 0.5% or 1% significantly (P<0.05) improved the final or weight, total body weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion compared to control diet. On the other hand inclusion of Mustard seeds at 1% significantly (P<0.05) increased the total body weight gain and average daily gain by 24.3% while at 0.5% significantly (P<0.05) increased the total body weight gain and average daily gain by 14.5% compared to the control group. The 90% of protein with 1% mustard seeds recorded the best values of final weight, total body weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion. The interaction between the protein and mustard seeds levels significantly (P<0.05) increased the final weight, weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion. Inclusion mustard seeds in rabbit diets clearly decreased the dressing percentages by increasing the level of mustard seeds in rabbit diets. Dietary 90% of protein requirements with 0.5% or 1% mustard seeds showed the higher value ofnet revenue, economical efficiency and relative economic efficiency, as well as the lower value of feed cost/ kg live body weight (LE).