Growth performance, carcass yield and blood profiles of growing rabbits fed concentrate diet supplemented with white lead tree ( Leucaena Leucocephala ) or siratro ( Macroptilium Atropurpureum ) leaves in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Thirty (30) 8-week old rabbits of average initial weight of 900 g were used to determine the Growth Performance, Carcass yield and Blood profiles of growing rabbits fed Concentrate diet supplemented with White lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala) or Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) leaves in North Central Nigeria. The experiment was in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatment diets replicated thrice. The control group (T1) was fed a formulated rabbit diet, in T2, 10 % of the formulated rabbit feed was replaced with White lead tree fresh leaves, in T3, 20 % of the formulated rabbit feed was replaced with White lead tree fresh leaves, in T4, 10% of the formulated rabbit feed was replaced with Siratro fresh leaves and in T5, 20% of the formulated rabbit feed was replaced with Siratro fresh leaves. The study lasted 56 days. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Performance data indicated that body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P 0.05). The weights of liver, heart and kidney were significantly (P 0.05) by the dietary treatments. From the results, it was concluded that inclusion of 10% white lead tree or 10% Siratro leaves in rabbits’ diet had no adverse effects on the performance, carcass yield and blood profiles of growing rabbits.