EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF GREWIA MOLLIS STEM BARK POWDER (GSBP) ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS

Abstract

Twenty-four rabbits of mixed sexes of Chinchilla breed were used to determine the effect of Grewia mollis stem bark powder (GSBP) on the growth of rabbits. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments of six replicates each in a completely randomized design. The feeding trial lasted for five weeks. GSBP was incorporated in the diets of rabbits at 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% for groups T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Rabbits were housed in individual cages and water and feed were administered ad libitum. Proximate analysis of GSBP was conducted and data on weekly body
weight were collected. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means separated using Least Significant Difference. Results showed that incorporation of GSBP in rabbit diets significantly increased (p<0.05) final body weight and weight gain at the end of the study. However, GSBP inclusion depresses the body weight of rabbits beyond 4% inclusion. The result also showed that the incorporation of GSBP reduced production cost of feed. The findings of this study showed that GSBP could be included in the feed of growing rabbits up to 4% without any negative effect on their body weights.