Abstract
The suitability and chemical composition of seven forages (M. oleifera, F. thonningii, L. leucocephala, E. cyclocarpum, G. sepium, A. saman and A. indica) as feed resources for feeding domestic rabbits during the dry season was studied. The acceptability was determined by cafeteria method using five adult rabbits weighing 700-750g. The acceptability of the forages was best in M. oleifera followed by F. thoninngii. G. sepium, L. leucocephala and E. cyclocarpum had similar acceptability while A. indica and A. Saman had low acceptability. The order of acceptability was: M. oleifera, F. thonningii, L. leucocephala, E. cyclocarpum, G. sepium, A. indica, and A. saman. The chemical analysis of the five most acceptable forages showed that F. thoninngii had the least CP of 10.3% compared to the others forages that had CP ranging from 24 -30%. M. oleifera also had the least CF of 9.0% compared to the other forages CF which range 14 -19% F. thonningii and L. leucocephala also had low EE of 6.0 and 8.0 % respectively. The ADF and NDF fractions of the five most acceptable forages were in the same range. In conclusion all the five most acceptable forages namely: M. oleifera, F. thonningii, L .leucocephala, E. cyclocarpum, G. sepium are possible feed resources suitable for feeding rabbits especially during the dry season.
Published Version
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