Effect of partial replacement of growers mash with gliricidia sepium leaf meal on the growth of chinchilla rabbits and its implication for extension advisory services.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effect of partial replacement of growers mash with Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GLM) on the growth of chinchilla rabbits and to determine its implication for extension advisory services. In this study, 10 eight weeks old Chinchilla rabbits were used. They were randomly allotted to three experimental units labeled groups A, B, and C respectively. Parameters measured were body length, body weight, height at the shoulders, average ear length (left and right) and feed intake. The rabbits were subjected to various levels of growers mash replacement with GLM, in the following ratios: 20:80, 60:40 and 100:0 respectively. The differences in growth were subjected to a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc test. The experiment lasted eight weeks. There were significant differences in the parameters measured in the three experimental diets. The rabbits fed diets in which supplementation with GLM was in the ratio of 20:80(Diet 1) showed a higher significant growth than those fed solely on growers mash. Results also indicated that it is cheaper to raise weaned rabbits on Diet 1 with a ratio of 20:80, than solely on Guinea feed.