Performance and Physiological Response of Weaner Rabbits Fed Hot Water Treated Cocoa Bean Shell Based Diet

Hot-water treated cocoa bean shell(HWCBS) based diet was evaluated in respect of performance and physiological response of weaner rabbits. The treatment reduced the theobromine content of cocoa bean shell. Feed intake and weight gain were significantly(p<0.05) high in rabbits fed HWCBS up to 200g/kg. Water intake was highest in rabbits fed 400gHWCBS/kg. Rectal temperature and pulse rate also increased with increase in WCBS inclusion. Except for leucocytes count, Ca2+ and urea, other haematological indices and serum Na+, K+, total protein and glucose decreased (p<0.05) in rabbits fed HWCBS based diet compared with the control group. The findings of this work indicate that hot water treated cocoa bean shell can be included in the diet of rabbit at 200g/kg for optimal performance.