Evaluation of Forage-Based Diets Fed to Rabbits for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

DANWE A.B, ABDULRAHMAN A.M AND MUSA BAKOJI

Department of Animal Production

College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

E-mail: mraugustinedanwe@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the performance and nutrients digestibility of rabbits fed forage diets. Twenty four (24) weaners, Rabbits of about five (5) weeks old were used for the study. The rabbits were allocated to four (4) dietary treatments with six (6) replicates of one (1) rabbit each. Diet T1 and T2 contained 50% dry matter Arachis hypogaea haulms and 50% Musa spp fresh leaves respectively. While Diet, T3 and T4 contained 50% Amaranthus spinosus stems and 50% Amaranthus spinosus fresh leaves respectively. Each diet T1, T2, T3 and T4 were supplement with 50% maize bran and the experiment lasted for (8) weeks. The result showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in body weight gain, increase in total feed intake and forage intake. Dietary treatment also had significant increase (p<0.01) no feed conversion ratio. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in dressing percentage and carcass weight. While nutrients digestibility of CF, Dm decreased (p<0.001), Cp digestibility had significant increase (P<0.01). However, rabbits performed better on Arachis hypogea haulms, Amaranthus spinosus leaves were recommended best.