ABSTRACT:

 A study was conducted to assess selected tropical legume forages and tiger nut residue based-diet on haematology, serum biochemistry and carcass characteristics of grower rabbits. Twenty-four rabbits of 2-3 months of age were used for the experiment. They were divided into four treatment groups with 6 rabbits in each treatment and replicated three times with 2 rabbits per replicate. Experimental diet was formulated to meet the nutrient requirement of grower rabbits using tiger nut residue. All the rabbits in the treatment groups were fed the experimental diet. Legumes forages were fed to the rabbits using complete randomized design such that T (control) received concentrate without any forage, T2 received concentrate and 1 Centrosema pubescens, T received concentrate and Calogonium muconoides while T4 received concentrate 3 and Leucaena leucocephala. All management practices necessary for the production of rabbits were observed. Data on hematological indices (Red Blood Cells, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, white blood cells,lymphocytes, mean corpuscular haemoglobin), serum biochemical indices (creatinine, total protein, Alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase) and carcass characteristics (carcass weight, eviscerated weight, Dressing percentage and organ weights) were collected and subjected to ANOVA. Results of Haematological and serum biochemical indices showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all the treatments although they were within normal ranges for healthy rabbits. Results on carcass characteristics revealed that there were no significant (P>0.05) effects in most parameters measured except in foreleg, thoracic cage and loins. It was concluded that tiger nut residue, Centrosema pubescens, Calopogonium mucoides and leucaena leucocephala did not have any negative effect on haematological indices, serum biochemical indices and carcass characteristics of grower rabbits. It is recommended that tiger nut residue, centrosema pubescen, calopogonium muconoides and leucaena leucocephala be fed to grower rabbits