PRODUCTIVE RESPONSE OF RABBITS TO SUPPLEMENTAL COPPER IN A DIET BASEDON TROPICAL FEEDSTUFFS

Effects of supplemental copper in a diet based on tropical feedstuffs on productive performance, carcass measurements and haematology of rab bits were investigated in a 70d trial. Copper as CuSO4 . 5H(2)O was su pplemented at 0, 125, 250 and 375 mg kg(-1) into a basal diet. The bas al diet served as control treatment. Eight rabbits, each constituting a replicate, were fed on one of the experimental diets. The results sh owed that daily weight gain, and feed intake of the rabbits fed 250 an d 375 mg kg(-1) supplemental copper were the highest followed by rabbi ts fed 125 mg kg(-1) and the basal diet. Relative weights of the selec ted organs were similar except for the brain that tended to be lower i n rabbits fed 250 and 375 mg kg(-1) copper. Haemoglobin, packed cell v olume and red blood counts were lower on 375 mg kg(-1), however, haema tological indices in rabbits fed 125 and 250 mg kg(-1) were superior t o other treatments. The results indicated that supplemental copper in a diet based on. tropical feedstuffs improved performance, supported a dequate organ development and might adversely affect haematopoiesis in rabbits at 375 mg kg(-1) rate of inclusion.