Effect of feeding grain amaranth leaves on the growth and meat quality of broiler rabbits

摘要

Grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) is a multipurpose crop which could be grown even under marginal soils and the areas receiving less rainfall. Dark green leaves are rich sources of several nutrients such as calcium, iron, #beta# - carotene, riboflavin, folic acid and ascorbic acid, all are essential for growth and maintenance of normal health. Rabbits are herbivorous animals which convert vegetable protein into edible meat. In the present study, a significant increase in the body weight of rabbits was noticed at 60 per cent of the feed substituted with grain amaranth leaves as compared to 40 and 50 per cent levels. The weight of visceral organs viz., liver and heart were decreased with the increase in substitution levels of amaranth leaves. However, no change in the weight of kidneys were observed. Lowest cholesterol content in the rabbit meat was recorded in the treatment with 60 per cent substitution with amaranth leaves. Absolutely there was no change in the total RBC, total leukocytes and haemoglobin content in all the treatments except control. In an eight-week study period, the animals were healthy with good growth and without any toxic effects when they were fed with grain amaranth leaves.