title: Performance of weaner rabbits fed a concentrate diet supplemented with pawpaw leaves.
abstract: This experiment investigated the performance of weaner rabbits fed concentrate diets supplemented with pawpaw leaves (PPL). Twenty-four male weaner rabbits aged 5 weeks, weighing between 350 and 450 g were used. Concentrate diet was supplemented with PPL in ratios 100:0, 70:30, 50:50 and 30:70. Rabbits were randomly allotted to the four diets in a completely randomised design for 8 weeks, with six rabbits per diet. Results showed that rabbits supplemented with 30 and 50 % PPL had higher (P < 0.05) dry matter intake to sole concentrate. At 70 % PPL, dry matter intake did not vary with other treatments. Weight gain was higher (P < 0.05) in rabbits fed 30 and 50 % PPL than sole concentrate. Rabbits fed 70 % PPL had lower (P < 0.05) weight gain to animals fed 30 % PPL but gained similarly (P > 0.05) to those fed on 50 % PPL and sole concentrate. Feed conversion ratio improved (P < 0.05) in animals fed 30, 50 and 70 % PPL. Rabbits fed 30 % PPL had the highest (P < 0.05) protein efficiency ratio. Rabbits had higher dry matter digestibility (P < 0.05) with PPL supplementation than sole concentrate while crude protein and fibre digestibility was higher with 30 and 50 % PPL. Haematological and serum parameters in rabbits were unaltered with feeding PPL. It is concluded that weaner rabbits can utilise PPL as supplement to concentrate diet at 30 to 70 % dry matter with positive responses in performance and nutrient digestibility without deleterious effect on the physiological status of the rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, aderinbry@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ronke Yemisi
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Aderinboye
authors.forename: Olayinka Timothy
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Oladeji
authors.forename: Michael Adebayo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abaire
authors.forename: Richard Abayomi
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sobayo
authors.forename: Abimbola Oladele
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Oso
authors.forename: Adebayo Olusoji
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Oni
authors.forename: Kafayat Omowumi
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Yusuf
authors.forename: Saheed Oladipupo
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Osho
authors.forename: Adeyemi Mustapha
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bamgbose
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D031042:Asimina; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D008297:Male; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain