Effect of Feeding Different Plant Protein Sources on the Growth and Economic indices of weaner Rabbits in the Semi – Arid Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of different plant protein sources on the growth performance and economic analysis of cross-bred (Dutch x New Zealand white) weaner rabbits aged between five to seven weeks. Forty eight rabbits were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments with twelve (12) rabbits per treatment,. Groundnut cake; sunflower meal; Bambara nut meal and soya bean meal for treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Results showed that the growth parameters were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatment groups except mean daily feed which was significantly (P<0.05) different. Based on Growth and economic performance Rabbits fed T1 (groundnut cake) perform better than other treatment groups, it was concluded that groundnut cake is a better plant source of protein for rabbits. Therefore, recommending that farmers can be used groundnut cake as a source plant protein in diet of weaner rabbits.

Keywords: Groundnut cake, Sunflower meal, Bambara nut meal, Soybean meal, Growth Performance and Economic Analysis