CARCASS CHARASTERICS OF RABBITS FED DIFFERENT FORAGES AS SUPPLEMENT

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to determine the carcass characteristics of weaned rabbits fed selected forages as feed supplement. A total number of thirty six (36) weaned mixed breed of rabbits were allotted randomly to four (4) treatments with nine (9) rabbits and each treatment was replicated three (3) times with three rabbit per replicate and designated as Control (T1) concentrate plus (+) amaranthus, (T2) concentrate plus (+) tridax, (T3) concentrate plus (+) fig leaves, (T4) concentrate plus (+) water melon waste. The experiment lasted for eight (8) weeks. Data were obtained on carcass characteristics, internal organs, by-products. Result revealed that the value of carcass traits, internal organs and by-products were no significantly (P>0.05) different except in liver and lungs (internal organs) and pelts (skin) and hind legs (by-products) were not significantly different (P>0.05) for all the parameters obtained. Base on the findings, it can be recommended that T1 (Amaranthus), can be used as supplement to concentrate feed, hence it was consumed more than other treatment  group.