HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF SUNFLOWER SEED (HELIANTHUS ANNUS L.) CAKE

The research was conducted to evaluate the dietary inclusion levels of sunflower seed cake (SFSC) on the haematological parameters of weaner rabbits. Forty-five (45) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes weighing 867-870 g were used, and randomly allotted into five (5) dietary treatment groups with 9 rabbits per treatment and 3 per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Five diets were formulated containing SFSC at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% as dietary inclusion levels. Feed and clean water were offered ad libitum and all other management practices were strictly observed throughout the experimental period. Three rabbits from each treatment were randomly selected, 2mL blood samples were collected and taken into EDTA bottles for haematological analysis. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Dunnett’s Test. Result on the haematological parameters showed significant P<0.05) effect in PCV, HB, RBC, WBC, eosinophil, lymphocyte, MCH and MCH. However, the values obtained were within the normal range values reported for healthy rabbits. The values obtained for all parameters measured in this study indicated that the up to 40% SFSC in the diets of rabbits did not have any deleterious effects and the process of blood formation were not interfered on the animal during the experimental period.