Background:

Post-weaned young rabbits are subject to significant stress, and their digestive capacity is not yet adapted to adult rations. The utilization of protein hydrolyzate in animal nutrition may be appealing to farmers since it covers possible diet shortages. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of a protein hydrolyzate of Moringa oleífera Lam, (PHM), as a food supplement of Chinchilla fattening rabbits.

Methods:

The following experimental treatments were applied: 1. Supplementation of moringa protein hydrolyzate (PHM), 2 Supplementation of moringa aqueous extract (MAE), and 3. No supplementation (NS). Overall, 27 rabbits were included (three treatments and three repetitions). The productive indicators (final live weight, total weight gain, mean daily gain, and carcass yield), carcass yields, and blood chemistry indicators (cholesterol and triglycerides).

Results:

According to Duncan (p˂0.05), the best results in the productive indicators and carcass were observed in rabbits supplemented with PHM (2.5726 kg final weight, 1.237 kg total gain, 0.0207 kg mean daily gain), with significant differences (p˂0.05), compared to the other treatments. PHM was able to increase the weight of the hind portion (0.523 kg), and anterior portion (0.806 kg) of the carcass, with significant differences compared to the control (NS). The blood chemistry indicators showed no significant differences (p˃ 0.05).

Conclusions:

PHM had a positive effect on food supplementation of fattening Chinchilla rabbits.