EFFECT OF LOCUST (Zonocerus variegatus) MEAL ON CARCASS YIELD OF RABBIT MEAT

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding locust meal (LM) on carcass yield of rabbit meat. The rabbits were fed four dietary treatments with varying inclusion levels of locust meal (0, 5, 10 and 15%) as replacement for soyabean meal. The trial lasted for eight weeks, the rabbits were slaughtered, deboned, washed and cut into smaller chops of about 2.5-3cm using a knife according to their treatment groups. Data obtained were analysed using SAS version 9.0. Results showed that rabbits fed diets containing 5% (1639.86 g) and 15% (1642.52 g) levels of LM had significantly higher (P<0.05) live weight than those fed 10% (1450.76 g). The highest value of slaughter weight was obtained in rabbits fed 5% (1565.80 %) and 15% (1570.52 %) inclusion level of LM compared to those fed 10% (1380.76 g). Rabbits fed LM at 15% inclusion level recorded the highest carcass weight (914.43 g) than those fed control diet (829.71 g) and 5% (817.14 g). However, the dressing percentage was significantly (P<0.05) highest in rabbits fed LM at10% (61.66 %) compared to those fed 5% (49.83 %) inclusion level. Hence, it was concluded that dietary replacement of soyabean meal with locust meal may improve performance and carcass characteristics of rabbit meat. It was therefore recommended that farmers may replace soyabean meal with 15% locust meal in the diet of growing rabbits for higher live weight, slaughter weight and carcass weight.