WEANER RABBITS: NUTRITIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF CONCENTRATE DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH DIFFERENT FORAGES

Abstract

In order to avert the increasing cost of conventional feed, there is a need for other alternatives and cheaper forages. This study investigated the dietary efficiency of Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leuciocephala in rabbit nutrition. In 8 weeks, 24 weaner rabbits of both sexes were randomly allotted to three experimental diets (n=8): group A received Centrosema pubescens (as the control), group B received Gliricidia sepium, and group C received Leucaena leucocephala. The rabbits were fed a 1:1 mixture of forages and concentrate diet; they were fed at 5% of their body weight. The chemical composition of the concentrate and experimental forages, the growth performance of rabbits fed based diets, and the digestibility of forages fed to rabbits (total fecal and urine collection) were all investigated. The results show that Leucaena leucocephala has the highest crude protein (26.17%), ether extract (34.90%), and organic matter (93.95%). Similarly, Gliricidia sepium and Centrosema pubescens have the highest crude fiber (14.57%) and ash content (6.69%). Rabbits fed the Leucaena leucocephala diet gained the most weight, with a mean gain of 897.92±9.25g/rabbit. The Leucaena leucocephala based diet contains the highest fecal crude protein and nitrogen, while the Centrosema pubescens diet has the highest dry matter content. It was therefore concluded that Leucaena leucocephala had the best dietary efficiency.