EFFECT OF Yadiya (Leptadenia hastata) AND COWPEA HAULMS (Vigna unguiculata) SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS

Abstract

A 56-days study was conducted to determine the effect of Yadiya (Leptadenia hastatata) and cowpea haulms (Vigna unguiculata) on the performance of wener rabbits. A total of twenty four (24) Weaner rabbits aged five to six (5-6) weeks were used for the study. The rabbits were randomly allotted into four (4) treatments, each treatment having three (3) replicates of two (2) rabbits each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Yadiya and cowpea haulms were supplemented in the ratio of 3:2, 2:3 and 2.5:2.5 for T2, T3, T4 respectively, where T1 (control) was solely fed on concentrate. At the end of the study, data collected on growth parameters from each treatment was subjected to analysis of variance, and the result showed that Yadiya and cowpea haulms supplementation had significant effect (P<0.05) on final weight, weight gain, and daily weight gain, with T4 (2.5:2.5) recorded the highest value of 1060.83g, 538.00g, 9.61g respectively. However, there were no significant difference (P>0.05) on feed intake, daily feed intake. In conclusion, the experiment showed that Yadiya and cowpea haulms can be used as supplement in the feeding of Weaner rabbits as indicated in this study, with T4 giving the best result (2.5:2.5)