EVALUATION OF FALSE YAM (Icacina oliviformis) LEAVES ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Icacina oliviformis leaf meal (IOLM) on the growth performance of weaner rabbits. Twenty-one (21) weaner rabbits with an average initial weight of 661g were used in a completely randomized design. The feeding trial lasted for 56 days at the livestock unit of the University for Development studies. The chemical analysis was carried out at the Spanish Laboratory of the University for Development studies. The variables measured were feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility and body weight gain. The average daily feed intake showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher intake for T2 (129.27g) compared with T0 (125.11g). Average daily body weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher for T0 (17.65g) compared to T2 (10.83g). However there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between T0 (17.65g) and T1 (13.33g).There was a significantly (P<0.05) higher crude protein digestibility for T0 (84.68%) compared to T1 (80.99%) and T2 (67.08%). Apparent digestibility for CP and EE decreased with increase in the level of IOL in the diet. Based on the results of this study, IOL can be used as a feed ingredient in the diet of rabbits at 5% without any detrimental effects.