Greener
Journal of  Agricultural Sciences

Vol. 4 (1), pp.
009-014,
January 2014.

 ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research
Paper

Manuscript Number: 1211131024

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2014.1.1211131024
 

Effect of Replacing Wheat Offal with Asystasia
gangetica Leaf Meal (ALM) on Growth Performance and
Haematological Parameters

of Weaner
Rabbits

 

¹Adigun O. S., ²Okeke E. N.,
*³Makinde O. J. and ¹Umunna M. O.

 

¹Department of Animal
Production Technology, Federal College of Wildlife
Management,

PMB 268,
Niger State, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural
Extension and Management, Federal College of Forestry,

PMB 5087,
Oyo State, Nigeria.

³Department of Animal
Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: johyinmak @ yahoo. com

Abstract:

A fifty
six (56) day feeding trial was carried out to determine the
effect of replacing wheat offal with Asystasia gangetica
leaf meal (ALM) on the growth performance and haematological
parameters of weaner rabbits. Four (4) diets were formulated
such that the control diet (T₁) contained 0%ALM
while T_2, T₃ and T₄
contained 33%, 66% and 100% replacement levels of wheat
offal respectively. Twenty-four (24) unsexed and mixed-breed
weaner rabbits were randomly assigned to four dietary
treatments. Feed and water were offered ad-libitum
throughout the period of the experiment. The result of the
experiment showed that there were significant differences
(P<0.05) in daily weight gain and feed cost/kg gain of
rabbits. The experimental diets had no significant effect
(P>0.05) on feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the
experimental rabbits. There was a decrease in the cost of
feed as replacement levels of ALM increased in the diets.
Haematological parameters measured were not significantly
(P>0.05) different except for WBC.  Based on the finding of
this study, it was concluded that replacing 66% of wheat
offal in the diet of weaner rabbits with ALM will reduce the
cost of rabbit production without adverse effects on the
growth performance and haematological indices of the
rabbits.

 

Keywords: Asystasia gangetica leaf meal,
weaner rabbits, growth, haematology.

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