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Comparative Study Of Growth Performance Of Orynctolagus Cuniculus (Rabbits) Fed Rabbits Feed And Some Forages In Captivity
ABSTRACT
This research was carried out to compare the growth performance of rabbits in order to meet the increasing demand in animal protein as a way of meeting human needs. It investigated the growth performances of rabbits; (Orynctolagus cuniculus) fed with rabbit feed and some forages. A total of Thirty (30) weaner rabbits of mixed sexes with the average initial weight of 400g- 450g were used in the experiment. The rabbits were randomly selected into two experimental groups; Treatment A and Treatment B, each treatment was composed of three replicates and five rabbits over a period of 12 weeks in a completely randomized design. The control groups (Treatment A) were fed diet without any inclusion of forages while Treatment B were fed diet containing some forages that was formulated. The results from the proximate analysis showed the content of crude protein was (19.69%) while Treatment A (16.10). Data were collected weekly and parameters monitored were weekly weight gain, Percentage weight gain, Specific growth ratio and Food conversion Ratio. Studies on result of feed utilization and growth performance showed that weight gain was higher in rabbit fed Treatment B (542.00g) than Treatment A (337.33g). The percentage weight gain was highest in Treatment B (132.53) and the least in Treatment A (80.98) The specific growth ratio of rabbits fed with treatment B was significance difference from those fed with Treatment A. The best Food Conversion Ratio was recorded in the rabbits fed with Treatment B (17.82) than those fed with the rabbit feed, Treatment A (31.26), however, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that Treatment A was significantly different from Treatment B. The results showed that feeding rabbits forages enhanced their growth performance as indicated growth rate and food conversion ratio as it contains all the necessary nutrients for growth.
Keywords: Rabbit; feed; growth and Forages.