GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS FED DEHYDRATED AFRICAN BREADFRUIT (TRECULIA AFRICANA) PULP BASED DIETS

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the growth performance of rabbits fed varying dietary levels of dried African breadfruit pulp (DABP). A total of thirty (30) weaner rabbits were randomly assigned to five treatment groups of 6 rabbits each and assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The dietary treatments consisted of T1: control; T2: 5% dried African breadfruit pulp; T3: 10% dried African breadfruit pulp; T4: 15% dried African breadfruit pulp; T5: 20% dried African breadfruit pulp. Each treatment was replicated three times with 2 rabbits per replicate. Feed and water were provided to the rabbits ad libitum. Final body weight, total feed intake, average daily feed intake, total weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (P<0.05) improved in T2 and T3 compared to T1, T4 and T5. Based on the results obtained from the present study, it was concluded that 5-10% DABP can be incorporated into rabbit diets, without adverse effect on the animals.