Effect of Coffee Senna (Senna occidentalis) Leaf Meal on the Growth Performance of Weaner Rabbits

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of coffee senna (senna occidentalis) leaf meal (SOLM) on the performance of weaner rabbits. Three diets containing 0 %, 50 % and 100% (SOLM)with concentrate. The experimental forage was air dried and fed to the rabbits between 8.00 am to 6.00 pm while prepared experimental concentrate diet was fed between 6.00 pm to 8.00 am on a daily basis and was fed to a total of 36 mixed sex weaned rabbits, randomly grouped into three treatments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Parameters measured include feed intake, body weight and bodyweight gain. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed on the average and total SOLM intake but no significant difference (p>0.05) in the final weight, average weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the rabbits. Cost analysis confirmed that the best feed cost per kg gain (N512.14) and best Feed Conversion Ratio of 4.63 in diet T3 (100% SOLM) indicated that it was more economical and ideal using T3 diet in terms of weight gain.