Performance of Weaner Rabbits fed Cynodon dactylon and Euphorbia hirta Hay Mixtures with Concentrate Diet
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the performance of weaner rabbits fed with Cynodon dactylon (CD) and Euphorbia hirta (EH) hay mixtures supplemented with concentrate. Twenty (20) weaner rabbits were assigned to four (4) dietary treatment of C. dactylon and E. hirta hay at different mixtures (100%CD, 75%CD: 25%EH, 50%CD: 50%EH and 25%CD: 75%EH) with five replicates in a Completely Randomized Design for 60 days. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in Total Weight Gain (TLWG) and Feed Conversion Ratio, 310g-400g and 6.90-9.55, respectively. TLWG increased with legume inclusion in the basal diet of weaner rabbits and values was higher in 75%CD:25%EH compared to other treatment diets. Nutrients digestibility except crude fibre (CF) were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Crude fibre (CF) digestibility ranged from 9.75% in 75%CD:25%EH to 12.43% in 50%CD:50%EH and were significantly (P<0.05) different across treatments. Conversely, nitrogen balance, nitrogen absorbed and nitrogen retained were higher (P<0.05) in 50%CD:50%EH (9.61g/d, 12.6g/d and 67.82%, respectively) and could be attributed to lesser nitrogen loss in relation to nitrogen intake in the rabbits. Mixture of 75%CD:25%EH diet gave the best performance in weaner rabbits and hence, recommended for enhanced performance of rabbit.
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