NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEANER RABBITS FED VARYING LEVELS OF KENAF SEED MEAL AS A REPLACEMENT FOR SOYABEAN MEAL

Abstract

This study evaluated the nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits fed varying levels of kenaf seed meal (KSM) as a replacement for soybean meal. Thirty weaner rabbits, aged 5–6 weeks, were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments with six rabbits per treatment, and the study lasted six weeks. The experimental diets replaced

soybean meal with KSM at inclusion levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Digestibility trials were conducted to assess the utilization of nutrients such as crude protein, crude fiber, dry matter, ether extract, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE). The results indicated that dry matter and crude fiber digestibility showed no

significant differences across the treatments (p>0.05), demonstrating that rabbits can utilize KSM efficiently without adverse effects. However, crude protein and ether extract digestibility differed significantly (p<0.05), with the highest protein digestibility observed in the control diet (77.04%) and the lowest in the 100% KSM replacement (68.36%), likely due to anti-nutritional factors in KSM. Ether extract digestibility peaked at the 50% KSM level (89.26%) but declined at 100% KSM, suggesting limitations in fat utilization at higher inclusion levels. In conclusion, KSM can be used as an alternative feed ingredient in weaner rabbit diets, though higher inclusion levels may reduce protein and fat digestibility.