Broccoli By-Products as a Partial Replacement of Lucerne Hay in Rabbit Diets Containing Different Levels of Protein

A total number of 54 male growing New Zealand rabbits were used to study the effect of broccoli by- products as a partial replacement of Lucerne hay in rabbit diets containing different levels of protein. Rabbits were classified into six equal groups (G -G ). The 1 and 4 groups received basal ration with 100 % and 90 % 16 st th protein requirements and served as first and second control, respectively. The 2 and the 3 groups received nd rd basal ration with 100% protein requirements replacement with broccoli by-product at the level of 3% and 6 % of Lucerne hay, respectively. The 5 and 6 groups received basal ration with 90% protein requirements with th th broccoli by-product at the level of 3% and 6 % of Lucerne hay, respectively. The 90% protein requirements significantly (P 0.05) effects on feed intake of (DM, CP, DCP, TDN and DE) and feed conversion (g intake /g gain) of DM, CP, DCP, TDN and (Kcal intake /g gain) of DE. The protein levels had no significant effects (P>0.05) on either of the edible offal's weight of (liver, heart, kidneys, testes, spleen and lungs) and chemical analysis of the 9, 10 and 11 ribs as well as showed significant effects (P>0.05) on inedible th offal's weight, digestive tract, carcass weight and carcass cuts. The broccoli by-product levels significantly decreased the dressing percentages. The 90% protein requirements significantly (P<0.05) decreased the inedible offal's, empty body weight, carcass weight, dressing percentages and carcass cuts. The highest value of net revenue, economical efficiency and relative economic efficiency as well as the lowest value of feed cost/ kg live body weight were recorded at the 90% protein requirements with broccoli by-product replacement at 6% level treatment flowed by the broccoli by-product replacement at 3% level treatment. From the data obtained under these conditions of this work, it can be mentioned that broccoli by-products can be used successfully in rabbit diets as a good alternative for Lucerne hay with no adverse effect on growth performance, digestion coefficients and carcass characteristics.