Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

EFFECT OF CONCENTRATE TO FORAGE RATIO ON THE PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF GROWING RABBITS

A.A. ADEYEMO, O.A.ADEYEMI, D.A. EKUNSEITAN & O.S TAIWO

The experiment was conducted to examine the effect of concentrate to forage ratio on the performance and haematological parameters of growing rabbits. The rabbits were grouped into 4 treatment of 3 replicate each containing 2 rabbits. They were fed different ratio of concentrate(C) to forage (F) with Treatment 1 (100C: O F), Treatment 2 (75C: 25F), Treatment 3 (50C: 50F), Treatment 4 (25C: 75F). The feeding trial lasted for 56days. The final weight, weight gain, average weight gain and Feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by dietary Concentrate to Forage ratio. The feed intake, feed cost, cost of intake and total intake were significantly different (p<0.05) in rabbit Fed Forages to rabbit fed concentrate only. Highest weight gain was recorded in rabbits on treatment 3 (50C: 50F) compared to the other treatments. There were no significant difference (P>0.05) on the haematological indices of rabbit fed forages and concentrate. For optimum performance of rabbit it was concluded that a 50% of concentrate to 50% of forage should be given.

Published Date: 2013-03-28;