Effect of tropical forages on growth performance and carcass quality of rabbits
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Date
2015
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a small mono-gastric animal which has a very small body
size and an efficient reproductive ability. Backyard rabbit keeping supplies additional protein
with low investment and labor inputs. Rabbit meat has many nutritional benefits which include
high protein, low cholesterol and high palatability (Samkol and Lukefahr, 2008).The major
problem with rabbit production is high feeding cost (Lebas et al., 1997). Feeding cost for
rabbits account more than 75% of total cost of production. At present there is a competition
for protein sources between man and animals (Jiya et al., 2011). Rabbits are herbivores and
can be successfully raised on diets with low in grains and high in roughage. Therefore tropical
legumes can be used as an alternative for fed rabbits. The objective of this study was to
determine the growth performance, carcass quality of weaner rabbits with diet containing
forage supplements and commercial layer pellet.
Methodology
The experiment was carried out at Uva Wellassa University, Badulla. Sixteen (16) weaned
cross bred rabbits, mixed sexes were used for the feeding trial which conducted for 45-days.
All rabbits selected which were born on same day,a few from same litter. Rabbits were
grouped according to Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with four replicates, 2
males and 2 females for each diet group. Ration for all the diets were formulated according
to the nutritional requirement of grower rabbit. Maximum inclusion levels for the selected
leaves also considered. All animals were kept for an adaptation period during the adaptation
period rabbits were fed with only the control diet (Prima layer pellet) with fresh guinea grass
(Panicum maximum). The experimental diet was introduced gradually for 8 days. Water was
supplied ad-libitum for each rabbit. Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), Erythrina leaves
(Erythrina indica), Cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and Leucaena leaves
(Leucaena leucocephala) were harvested from the surrounding environment of the university
premises. Guinea grass was harvested one week before feeding to the animals and hay was
made by keeping under sun. Erythrina leaves, Cassava leaves and Leucaena leaves were
harvested three to four days before feeding rabbits. Those harvested leaves were chopped and
wilted until constant weight was gained. Wilted leaves and dried grass were stored under dry
condition. Diet 1 = Only layer pellet 100% (control), Diet 2 = Layer pellet 70%, Erythrina
indica 20%, Panicum maximum 10%, Diet 3 = Layer pellet 65%, Manihot esculenta Crantz
20%, Panicum maximum 15% and Diet 4 = Layer pellet 92%, Leucaena leucocephala 7%,
Panicum maximum 1%. Data were collected on body weight and weight gains, feed intake
and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
Two rabbits (one male and one female) from each group were slaughtered for carcass quality
evaluation. After 45 days of feeding trial two rabbits (one male and one female) from each
treatment group was slaughtered. Hot carcass weight, pH, Length of carcass, dressing
percentage was evaluated under carcass quality parameters. Chemical composition of
carcasses was analyzed for proximate constituents according to AOAC, 2002 method. Sensory
evaluation of boiled meat samples were evaluated using 15 semi trained panelists.
Collected data was analyzed using Analysis of variance (one way ANOVA and two way
ANOVA) - Minitab 16 statistical software package. Analysis of variance fallowed by a mean
separation procedure using Tukey’s test. Sensory analysis was done by using non parametric
analysis of Friedman test.
Description
Keywords
Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Food Science, Food Technology