Performance of Rabbits Fed Stylo (Stylosanthes hamata) and Groundnut Hauls (Arachis hypogea)

Abstract

Forty eight crossbred rabbits were used to study the performance of different age groups of rabbits fed stylo and groundnut haulms supplemented with 50g concentrate. The rabbits were allocated to three treatments: Stylosanthes hamata (stylo), Arachis hypogea (groundnut) haulms and 50.50 mixture (stygnut) of stylo and groundnut haulms, and four age groups: weaner, grower pubertal and adult in a 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design for six weeks. 150g forage and 50g concentrate were supplied to the rabbits in separate feeders in the morning at 08. 00hr. Initial and final weight of rabbits fed stylo, groundnut haulms and combination of stylo and groundnut haulms was similar. Concentrate, forage and total feed intake of rabbits were similar for the treatments, however, total weight gain was higher for combination of stylo and groundnut haulms and lowest on stylo. Rabbit performance on sole and combination forages was similar except for feed conversion ratio which was significantly higher for stylo. Though feed cost was similar for the treatments, cost/kg gain was higher for stylo than combination of stylo and groundnut haulms. For the rabbit groups, concentrate, forage and total feed intake were similar however; total weight gain was double for weaners than growers, pubertal and adult rabbits. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher for weaners than growers, pubertal and adult rabbits. Feed cost and cost/kg gain was significantly higher for adult rabbits than weaners but similar with growers and pubertal rabbits. This study shows the potential of feeding several legumes to rabbits and also implies that studies with feed resources should extend beyond weaner and/or grower phase to give practical insight into the performance of rabbits up to market weight.