PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF PROCESSED COCOA (Theobroma cacao) POD HUSKS

Abstract

Performance characteristics of growing rabbits fed graded levels of processed (ash treated and rumen liquor fermented) cocoa (Theobroma cacao) pod husks were investigated. One hundred and twenty (120) rabbits were randomly allotted to four (4) dietary treatments at 0, 10, 20, and 30% inclusion levels and designated as diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Each treatment group was replicated ten (10) times with three (3) rabbits representing a replicate and was fed ad-libitum for 56 days. The final live weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of rabbits in diets 2 and 3 were similar to those on control diet but was significantly (P<0.05) higher than diet 4. Up to 20% processed cocoa (Theobroma cacao) pod husks may be included into rabbits' diets.