GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEARNER RABBITS FED DOUM PALM MEAL (Hyphaene thebaica) BASED DIETS

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance of rabbits fed diets containing varying levels of doum palm meal. Forty(40) rabbits were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments of five replicates in a completely randomized design with two (2) rabbits per replicate. They were fed four experimental diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15 % doum palm meal respectively. Data obtained were subjected to analysis. The result showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the values obtained for average initial body weights. However, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the values obtained for average final body weight, average body weight gain, average daily weight gain, average daily feed consumed and feed conversion ratio. Rabbits fed diets containing 15 % doum palm meal performed better recording the highest final body weight of (1512. 80 g), this was followed by rabbit groups fed 10 % doum palm meal (1333.70) and the least value was recorded on rabbit groups fed 0 % doum palm meal (1205.50 g). The highest average daily feed consumed (63.15 g) was observed in rabbits fed diet containing 15 % doum palm meal, this was followed by those fed 10 % (61.31 g), 5 % (61.22 g) and 0 % (58.03 g) doum palm meal respectively. In conclusion, doum palm meal could be used up to 15 % substitution for maize in rabbit diets without any adverse effect on growth performance. Keywords: Growth performance, weaner rabbit, doum palm meal.