REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GESTATING RABBITS FED VERNONIA AMYGDALINA LEAF MEAL

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of dietary levels of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal on the performance of gestating rabbit does. Twenty female rabbits were mated to bucks and fed experimental diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15 % levels of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal (VLM) in four groups for five weeks. The feed intake, conception rate, gestation length, litter size, litter weight at birth were recorded. All data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The result obtained showed no detrimental effect of the leaf meal on performance of the gestating rabbit does. Feed intake was not significantly influenced by dietary levels of VLM. Vernonia amygdalina had no significant effect on all reproductive parameters assessed. All the experimental groups had 100% conception rate. The mean gestation length recorded ranged from 29.5 to 31 days for the rabbit does. Rabbit does fed diet with 15% VLM had the least average litter size compared to those on the control group. The average litter weight at birth was similar across the groups (42.20 – 43.15 g). It was concluded that Vernonia amygdalina can be fed to gestating female rabbits without deleterious effects on their reproductive performance.