Evaluation of Growth Performance of Weaned Rabbits under different Feeding System for Meat Production

Author: S. Usha and M. Suganthi

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Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the growth performance of New Zealand White rabbits in different feeding system. The rabbits feeding habit caecotrophy makes to utilize high forage diet effectively upto (20%) fiber. Commercial rabbitry are scanty to feed tree leaves and improve the body weight gain. Hence the present study was carried out at Rabbit Breeding Unit, Post Graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam to feed rabbits at different fodders. Thirty two weaned New Zealand White rabbits aged between six to seven weeks were randomly selected and divided into four groups each group (n=8). Group T1 (15parts Desmanthus + 85 parts Concentrate ), T2 (20 parts Subabul + 80 parts Concentrate), T3 (25 parts Hydroponic Maize +75 parts Concentrate) and T4 (30 parts Guinea grass + 70 parts Concentrate). The trial was conducted for 24 weeks period. The growth performance of rabbits fed on leguminous green fodder Desmanthus was found to be better than all other treatment groups. The overall weight gain was significantly higher (P≤ 0.01) in Desmanthus fed rabbits followed by subabul, hydroponic maize and guinea grass respectively. The average daily gain of rabbits highly significant (P≤ 0.01) gain in T1 groups. It is concluded the leguminous fodder Desmanthus virgatus can be included in 15% level rabbits had better weight gain in broiler rabbit production.

Keywords

Rabbits, Desmanthus, Subabul, hydroponic maize, Guinea grass, Growth Performance

Conclusion

The result of the study, rabbits fed with desmanthus better weight gain followed by subabul and hydroponic maize. The leguminous fodder desmanthus can be included in 15% level and tree leaves subabul and hydrophonic maize upto 50% level in ration for better performance of broiler rabbit production. It was also observed that rabbits perform better when fed the tree leaves and hydrophonic fodder compared to tropical grass supplemented with concentrate.

References

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How to cite this article

S. Usha and M. Suganthi (2023). Evaluation of Growth Performance of Weaned Rabbits under different Feeding System for Meat Production. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 101-104.