NITROGEN RETENTION IN WEANER RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF CLOVE AND FENUGREEK

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the nitrogen retention in rabbits fed graded levels of clove and fenugreek meals. Clove and fenugreek were obtained, cleaned and milled into meal as clove meal (CM) and fenugreek meal (FM). Eight (8) dietary diets were formulated; the first 4 treatments were diets containing clove meals (CM) at 0, 100, 200 and 300 g while the last 4 diets contained fenugreek meals (FM) at 0, 100, 200 and 300 g inclusion levels. Seventy-two (72) weaner rabbits having an average weight between 853.89-867.44 g were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups with nine rabbits per treatment having 3 rabbits per replicate in a

2 x 4 factorial arrangement of completely randomized design. 100 g of feed was given on a daily basis and water provi ded ad-libitum The results of the nitrogen retention parameters measured were significantly (P<0.05) better in rabbits fed FM diet for the main effect. The interaction effects were significantly (P<0.05)

better in rabbits fed 300 g CM diet and 200 g FM diet for nitrogen intake and nitrogen as % of intake.