Carcass Characteristics and Economics of Production of Weaner Rabbits Fed Diets Containing Graded Levels of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Leaf Meal
Abstract
An eighty-four day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding graded levels of cassava leaf meal (CLM) on carcass characteristics, prime cuts and economics of production of weaner rabbits. Thirty weaner rabbits of mixed sexes and breed aged 5-6weeks with initial average body weight between 497.33 and 612.00 g were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: T1 (control), T2, T3, T4 and T5 with CLM inclusion levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%, respectively in a Complete Randomized Design arrangement. Weighed amounts of feed were served every morning while fresh and clean drinking water was provided ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. Data were collected on feed intake, feed cost, revenue and profit. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Significant differences between treatments means were determined using Duncan Multiple ranges Test. Results on carcass traits and prime cuts of growing rabbits showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in all the parameters measured namely: head, neck, hind limb, fore limb and back except the rack. The economics of production was favorable in diets that contained graded levels of cassava leaf meal when compared to the control diet (treatment 1). It was concluded that, cassava leaf meal (CLM) is an effective alternative feed resource in the diet of growing rabbits that can efficiently reduce the price of feed and has no deleterious effect on carcass characteristics and prime cuts of the weaner rabbits.
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