RESPONSE OF BREEDER RABBITS TO VARYING LEVELS OF PELLET IN A MIXED FEEDING REGIME

Abstract

The response of breeder rabbits to five levels ofl for breeding rabbits rabbit pellets (100, 80, 60, 40 and 20%) in a mixed feeding regime with Ipoinea batatas vines was examined. Thirty sexually mature New Zealand White rabbits, 5 bucks and 25 does, literature on optimuri pellet combination level were used with the aim of determining the most economic and optimum level under the humid environment. Average litter sizes at birth and weaning and litter weaning weight were not significantly (P>0.05) different between diets containing 100 and 80% pellet but these differed significantly (P <0.05) from others. Average litter weight gains (0-35 days) for the various pellet levels were 2102.91g (100%), 2105.27 (80%), 1802.47g (60%), 1285.01g (40%)and 1202.77g (20%). Mortalities were not significantly different (P>0.05) among the diets. From the economic standpoint therefore, a diet with 80% pellet could be considered optimum, based on results on litter sizes, litter weight at weaning and mortality.