Performance Characteristics of Crossbred Weaned Rabbits Fed Fermented Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) Seed Meal

Abstract

Twenty (20) crossbred - weaner rabbits (New Zealand x Chinchilla) of mixed sexes weighing between 400 – 500g were used to investigate the effect of different inclusion levels of fermented pride of barbados seed meal on performance of weaned rabbits in a completely randomized design. Five diets were formulated to contain 0% (control) and 5, 10, 15 and 20% fermented pride of barbados seed meal. The trial lasted for 28 days which was carried out at rabbitary unit of Teaching and Research Farm, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Nigeria. Results showed that there was a significant difference in all parameters measured (p<0.05). The highest weight gain (125g) was recorded in diet 2 and 5 (5% and 20% inclusion level of fermented pride of Barbados seed meal, respectively). While the lowest weight gain (17g) was obtained in diet 4 (15% inclusion level of fermented pride of barbados seed meal). The highest feed intake (855g) was recorded in diet 4 (15% inclusion level of fermented pride of Barbados seed meal). While the lowest feed intake (286g) was obtained in diet 1 (0% inclusion level of fermented pride of barbados seed meal). The best feed conversion ratio (2.30) was obtained in diet 2 (5% inclusion level of fermented pride of barbados seed meal). The proximate analysis revealed that fermented pride of barbados seed meal contains crude protein 19.95%, crude fibre 6.30%, ether extract 9.00%, ash 5.00%, dry matter 87.00%, moisture content 13.00%, metabolize energy 3595.48kcal/kg and toxins are oxalate 0.20%, tannin 0.04% and phytate 0.39% and these toxins level present in fermented pride of Barbados seed meal are within the limit that animal can tolerate. It was concluded that fermented pride of barbados could be efficiently utilized and tolerated by weaner rabbits up to 20% inclusion level without any deleterious effect.