The Effects of Banana Peels on Blood Parameters of Grower Rabbits

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the blood parameters of grower rabbits fed inclusion levels of banana peels meal (BPL). A total of thirty six (36) grower rabbits aged 5-7 weeks with mean initial weight of 837.50+ 0.2g were used. The parameters taken were initial weight and blood samples for analysis. Significant differences were observed in all the parameters measured (p<0.05) except initial weight, red blood cells and white blood cells (p>0.05). The mean weekly weight gain of the rabbits on diet T4 was highest but relatively similar to that of T2 and T3 (p>0.05). Based on the results obtained, banana peels has no detrimental effects on rabbits hence should be fed up to 30% inclusion level, and at the same time reduce the competition between man and animal for conventional ingredients such as maize, rice, guinea-corn and their offal's etc.

Keywords: Banana peels meal, growing rabbit, Blood Parameters