PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING NEW ZEALAND RABBITS FED JATROPHA CURCAS SEED MEAL

Abstract

A total number of forty eight New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits 4 weeks of age and 683 + 28 g average live body weight were allotted at random to three similar experimental groups (of 16 rabbits each). Each group of rabbits was fed one of three experimental pelleted diets (16% crude protein and 13% crude fiber on average). The feeding trail extended for 9 weeks. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of partial substitution (50 or 100%) of soybean meal of control diet with different levels of jatropha seed meal (JCSM) as the sources for plant protein. on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, feed conversion ratio and economic efficiency. Results indicated that, there was no differences in the feed intake of rabbits that received diets containing JCSM and those received the control diet. Replacement of JCSM in rabbit diets significantly (P<0.05) improved the DM digestibility of diets containing 50 and 100% JCSM by 6.1 and 7.7% compared with control diet. No significant differences among the experimental groups regarding DCP and TDN. The average live body weight and body weight gain after 9 weeks showed no significant differences. The average daily gain followed the same pattern of total gain with average value of 26.89, 27.56 and 25.71g/d. Rabbits fed control diet had feed conversion ratio of 3.00 while those fed 50 and 100% JCSM had feed conversion ratio of 3.33 and 3.28, respectively. Nitrogen balance was positive in all rabbits fed experimental diets. Economic impact values of rabbits fed diets contained JCSM at marketing age (13 weeks) were higher than those of the control diet. It could be concluded that substitution of jatropha seed meal up to 50 or 100% of soybean meal in the diet of growing NZW rabbit diets improved the digestibility, daily weight gain, feed and economic impact, without any adverse effects on productive performance.