PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF BRACHIARIA RUZIZIENSIS-MUCUNA PRURIENS MIXTURES AND RELATIVE FEED INTAKE OF GROWER RABBITS FED MIXTURE HAY WITH CONCENTRATE

Abstract

Brachiaria ruziziensis and mucuna pruriens were used as the basal diet for grower rabbits, the forages were finely chopped and fed to rabbits. Brachiaria ruziziensis which served as the source of energy to the rabbits was fed at different proportions (100, 75, 50 and 25%) and Mucuna puriens, the main protein source in the experimental diet was fed at (0, 25, 50, 25 and 75%) across the four treatments. The feed was given in the morning and at evening and the feed intake was measured by subtracting feed given from left over. Proximate composition of the sole hay and mixtures showed 75:25 B. ruziziensis and M. Pruriens mixture had crude protein (24.98%) with B. ruziziensis having the least crude protein value (10.89%). The consumption of forage at different proportions in the four treatments shows that there is acceptance of Brachiaria ruziziensis and Mucuna pruriens at a high rate by rabbits. Experimental diet with 50:50 mixture of B. ruziziensis and M. Pruriens had the highest (74.28g) feed intake (p0.01) when compared to other treatment diets. It is therefore recommended that B. ruziziensis and M. pruriens be mixed at 50:50 for optimum performance in rabbits.