GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF GROWER RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF JATROPHA SEED MEAL AS A REPLACEMENT FOR SOYA BEAN MEAL

Abstract

This study evaluated the utilization of fermented jatropha seed meal (FJSM) by grower rabbits. Thirty (30) grower rabbits of mixed breeds and sex were purchased and used for the study. The rabbits were assigned to five dietary treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times with two rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design. Data collected during the experiments were growth parameters and were subjected to analysis of variance. The results from the growth performance
showed that final body weights and total weight gain decreased progressively (P<0.001) as FJSM increased in the diets. Final body weight of rabbits fed T1 (2561.20g) recorded significantly higher (P<0.001) weight compared to those on jatropha seed meals. However, among Jatropha seed mealbased diets rabbit, fed T2 recorded significant higher (P<0.05) final body weight 2021.50g. Feed conversion ratio also differed significantly (P<0.001) across the treatments. It was observed that the superior feed conversion was recorded T1 (2.19) followed by T2 (4.42. Rabbit fed T5 had significant (P<0.001) higher mortality (50.00%). It was observed from the study that rabbits fed T3, T4 and T5 diets recorded lower feed intake. It was therefore, concluded that fermented Jatropha seed meal can be incorporated in grower rabbit diet up to 25% without adverse effect on the growth performance of rabbit.