Growth Performance of Weaner Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Leucaena leucocephala Seeds Supplemented Diet
Gurumtet Istifanus *
Department of Chemical Sciences, Karl Kumm University, Vom, Nigeria.
Makwin Samuel Bitrus
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Jos, Nigeria.
Jude Obi Okpara
Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, N. V. R. I Vom, Nigeria.
Philibus Micah Goholshak
Dagwom Farms, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Pam Joshua Gyang
Department of Chemical Sciences, Karl Kumm University, Vom, Nigeria.
Japhet Comfort Philip
North Cenral Zonal Biotechnology Centre of Excellence University of Jos – NABDA, Nigeria.
Akinbobola Peace Otitoju
Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency Abuja, Nigeria.
Yohanna Denkok
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
Simdung Wuriba Kopdorah
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Gashua, Yobe, Nigeria.
Josephine Peace Agi
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Olotuche Ochube
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Nigeria.
Nanman Godwin Vongdip *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
Usman Yunusa
National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Wazoh Luka
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Jos, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study examined the effects of varying levels of Leucaena leucocephala seed meal as a plant protein source on the growth performance of weaned rabbits. The rabbits aged 0000 and average body weight was 693g randomly divided into four experimental groups. Sixteen weaned rabbits were used for the study with four diet groups containing 0, 15, 30 and 45% Leucaena leucocephala seed meal as a replacement for soya bean cake and measurements taken in a 56-day experimental period were: final body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Four rabbits were randomly allotted to each dietary treatment after balancing for sex, color and body weight, and kept in individual pens. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Results showed that no significant differences among groups in the growth performance of weaned rabbits. The body weight gain of the rabbits decreased as the proportion of Leucaena leucocephala seed meal in the diets increased, except with 30% inclusion. The final body weights were 467.00g, 465.25g, 642.75g, and 304.25g for 0, 15, 30 and 45% inclusions, respectively. Average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were 71.85, 68.75, 68.67, 68.66g/rabbit, and 8.6, 8.27, 5.98 and 12.65 for the respective diets/inclusions. Though the study asserts that Leucaena leucocephala seed meal had adverse effects on the feed intake, body weight gain and growth performance when it is included in the ratio beyond 30% level of the rabbit diet, yet the inclusion of 30% Leucaena leucocephala seed meal in the diet of weaned rabbits ensured optimum performance and is therefore encouraged as a healthy practice.
Keywords: Leucaena leucocephala, seed, growth-performance, diet, rabbit