CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF WEANER RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF ROASTED VIGNA SUBTERRANEA MEAL

Abstract

A five-week feeding trial was carried out to determine the dietary effect of varying levels of roasted Vigna subterranea (bambara) meal on the carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. Forty male and female New Zealand White x California rabbits with an average initial weight of 700g and between 5 and 7 weeks old were allocated to four dietary treatments with five replications in a completely randomized design (CRD). The Vigna subterranea seeds were roasted and milled to produce the Vigna subterranean meal (VSM) which was included in the experimental diets at 0 (which served as the control), 10, 20 and 30% VSM. The carcass weight was in the range of 548.50 - 688.50g and the dressing percentage 49.14 - 51.42%, both were not significantly influenced by dietary treatments. Likewise, the relative organ weights expressed as a percentage of live weight showed no significant variation among dietary treatments. At the end of the five-week feeding trial, four out of ten rabbits were randomly selected for carcass and organ measurements. The following range of values were observed: large intestine, 1.31 - 1.51%; caecum, 5.20 - 5.96%; stomach, 3.38 - 5.52%; kidney, 0.59 - 0.72%; heart, 0.19 - 0.26%; pelt, 7.02 - 7.97% and head 8.54 - 9.04%. It was concluded from this research that roasted Vigna subterranea meal can be included up to 30 percent in the diets of weaner rabbits without negatively affecting carcass characteristics.