ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to explore the impact of different levels of Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal in the diet on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. The rabbits were divided into five treatment groups, each with three replicates consisting of two rabbits per replicate. Initial weights were recorded, followed by weekly weight measurements over a twelve-week experimental period.
Five distinct diets were formulated for the treatment groups, incorporating varying proportions of Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal. The inclusion levels of leaf meal were set at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% for T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. These diets were subjected to analysis to determine their nutritional composition and energy values. Feeding occurred twice daily, in the morning and evening.
Data were collected on multiple parameters, including growth metrics, digestibility, anti-nutritional factors, rabbit carcass components, organ proportions, meat sensory qualities, and the cost-effectiveness of using Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal in rabbit diets. The investigation revealed that Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal had minimal levels of phenol, tannin, saponin, phytate, and oxalate.
Rabbits fed the control diet exhibited significantly reduced performance (p<0.05) in terms of feed conversion efficiency, digestibility, final body weights, dressed carcass percentage, and carcass cuts. Variations (p<0.05) were observed among treatments concerning aspects such as color, juiciness, and overall acceptability, with T5 demonstrating the highest overall acceptability.
The cost analysis indicated a consistent trend, with feed cost per kilogram and daily feed cost per rabbit decreasing as the inclusion level of Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal in the diets increased. Notably, the rabbits showed improved performance and carcass values when fed diets containing 50% Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal.
In conclusion, incorporating Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal at a 50% inclusion level yielded better growth performance and carcass characteristics in weaner rabbits. This research emphasizes the potential benefits of using Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal as a dietary component for rabbits.
INFLUENCE OF STYLOSANTHES HAMATA LEAF MEAL LEVELS ON WEANER R RABBIT GROWTH AND CARCASS. GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
