THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT TREE LEGUMES LEAVES AND SWEET PATATO PEELS MEAL BASED DIET ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS.

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and economic of production of weaner rabbits (Cross Bred of Chinchilla and New Zealand White) fed different sources of tree legume leaves. (Leucaena leucocephala, Pentaclethra macrophylla, and Moringa oleifera). The rabbits were weighed and divided into fur treatment groups, namely; Treatment 1, Treatment 2, Treatment 3 and Treatment 4. Each treatment was replicated three times with two rabbits per replicate in each cell. Experimental diet was formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of weaner rabbits using sweet potato peels. All the rabbits were fed the experimental diet. The tree legume forages were fed to all the rabbits in a completely randomized design such that treatment 1 (control) had only concentrate without forages, treatment 2 had concentrate and Leucaena leucocephala, treatment 3 had concentrate and Pentaclethra macrophylla and treatment 4 had concentrate and Moringa oleifera.. All managements practices necessary for the production of rabbits were observed. The experiment lasted for 56 days. Data on growth performance (average initial body weight, average final body weight, average body weight gain, average feed intake and feed conversion ratio) and economics of production (cost of purchase of rabbits, cost of total feed intake, cost of production, selling price of rabbits and profit) were collected and subjected to ANOVA. Results of growth parameters showed significant difference (P< 0.05) in body weight changes. Feed conversion ratio of rabbits was also significantly (P< 405) affected although they were all within the range recommended for healthy abbits. Economic indices showed significant difference (P< 0.05) in cost of feed intake where rabbits fed concentrate and Lucaena leucocephala (T2) had the highest value (N519.28). It is concluded growth parameters were affected by diets. The body weight changes were significantly improved in rabbits fed concentrate and Lucaena leucocephala. Feed intake also indicated that rabbits prefer concentrate and Lucaena leucocephala. However feed conversion ratio was improved with concentrate and Moringa oleifera. The economics indices showed that cost of feed intake was higher in concentrate and Lucaena leucocephala (T2), although this did not affect cost of production of rabbits. Moreover, profit from sales of rabbits was within same value. It is recommended that the used of any legume forages (Lucaena leucocephala Moringa oleifera Pentaclethra macrophylla) and diets formulated with sweet potato peels meal should be used in feeding of weaner rabbits for optimal growth and profitability.