Growth Performance of Growing Rabbits Fed Horse Grass and Calapo Mixed Forages

Abstract

Thirty six growing rabbits (mean body weight [BW] = 0.86kg ±0.04) were used to investigate the effect of Horse grass (Andropogon tectorum) and Calopo (Calopogonum mucunoides) mixed forages on growth response of rabbits in a completely randomized experimental design (CRD) with three replications and each replicate having two (male and female) rabbits. Five treatment (T) diets were formulated to contain 60% Horse grass + 40% Calopo (T₁), 70% Horse grass + 30% Calopo (T₂), 80% Horse grass + 20% Calopo (T₃), 90% Horse grass + 10% Calopo (T₄) and 100% Horse grass (T₅). The trial lasted for 56 days.Results showed that feed intake ranged from 78.75g DM/day for 80:20 grass:legume combination to 90.30 DM/day for 70:30 grass-legume combinations.However, the 70:30 combination had the highest weight gain (10.23g/day) and feed intake (90.30g/day) while sole grass (T₅) produced the least live weight (7.94g/day). Treatments 1, 2 and 4 were higher for dressing percentage. Forage combination of 70% Horse grass and 30% Calopo with low concentrate supplementary diet (50g) could be efficiently utilized and tolerated by growing rabbits without any deleterious effect on performance.