Evaluation of Three Perennial Forages Supplemented With Cassava Peel Meal– Palm Kernel Cake Based Concentrate for Growing Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cunniculus)

Abstract

With the objective of using readily available feed resources for small-holder farming, thirty mixed breed (New Zealand × Chinchilla × Dutch) rabbits were evaluated for performance on three perennial forages supplemented with Cassava Peel Meal-Palm Kernel Cake (CPM-PKC) based concentrate. The aim of the study was to investigate the growth, carcass characteristics and meat yield in rabbits fed CPM-PKC based concentrate with forage. The animals were divided into five experimental groups based on five dietary treatments: corn-GNC control (T1), CPM-PKC control (T2), Gliricidia sepium leaves + CPM-PKC (T3), Leucaena leucocephala leaves + CPM-PKC (T4) and Moringa oleifera leaves + CPM-PKC (T5). Rabbits on sole concentrate feeding (T1 and T2) were fed at 6% of their body weight. Animals in treatments 3, 4 and 5 received concentrate (3%) in the morning and forage (ad libitum). Weight gain was the highest in T1 being significantly (P < 0.05) different from T2, T3 and T4 but similar (P > 0.05) to T5. Feed intake was highest in the corn-GNC control. Overall carcass yield was not significant (P > 0.05) affected by dietary treatment.