NUTRITIVE VALUE OF MUCUNA (Mucuna pruriens) SHELL MEAL IN WEANER RABBIT DIET

Abstract

The study evaluated the nutritive value of Mucuna Shell Meal (MSM) on growth performance of weaner rabbits. Five dietary treatments were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% level of MSM. Thirty (30) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes were used for the experiment. They were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 replicates, in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Results indicated significant (P<0.05) differences in growth performance. Rabbits fed diet containing 30% MSM had significantly (P<0.05) better final weight, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio compared to those on other dietary treatments. There was significant (P<0.05) difference in feed intake. Rabbits fed the 40% MSM had the highest total feed intake (2690.33g), followed by those fed 20 and 30% inclusion levels of MSM in the diet, which were similar and the least was recorded in control diet (2300.33g). A significant (P<0.05) difference was observed in feed conversion ratio. Rabbits on control and 30% MSM had similar and a better feed conversion (3.63 and 3.16. respectively), followed by 10 and 20 which were similar and poorest was in those fed 40% MSM (6.43). It was therefore concluded that Mucuna Shell Meal can be included in the diets of weaner rabbits up to 30% to improve the growth performance of the rabbits without any deleterious effect.