Nutrient composition of selected tropical forages and their effect on acceptability in rabbit feeding

Abstract

Rabbits' ability to use forages is an important factor in rabbit nutrition. Tridax procumbens, Euphobia heterophylla, Alternanthera brasiliana, Aspilia africana, and Tithonia diversifolia are common forages for rabbits. Previous authors have reported the nutrient composition of these plants, but there is scanty information on how the available nutrient affects the consumption preference of these plants. This study was designed to ascertain the effect of nutrients present in these plants on their preferences. A total of 30 weaner rabbits (New Zealand White) were used in the experiment. The rabbits were separated into groups A and B, fifteen rabbits were in each group. Animals in Group A were offered fresh forages, while those in Group B were offered dry forages in a cafeteria arrangement. With the aid of cameras installed in the pens, the behaviours of experimental animals were recorded to help study the frequency of visitation to the various forages. Results of this study showed that E. heterophylla was the most visited, while A. africana was the least visited. The crude protein (CP) in the forages ranged from 4.70 – 5.62% with T. diversifolia and E. heterophylla having the significantly (p<0.05) highest and lowest values, respectively. A. africana recorded significantly highest (p<0.05) values for NDF, ADF and ADL followed by T. procumbens. Hemicellulose of E. heterophylla was significant (p<0.05). It was concluded that of the selected forages, E. heterophylla was the most preferred while the least was A. africana.