EFFECT OF MONK’S PEPPER (VITEX AGNUS CASTUS) ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBIT DOES

Abstract

The study investigated effect of monk's pepper on the reproductive performance of rabbit does and on the growth performance of their bunnies. A total of 24 rabbit does (four months old) were used for the study. The rabbits were randomly allotted to four treatment groups (T1-T4) with 6 rabbits/treatment. Each treatment was replicated six times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Rabbits were kept in individual wire cages. The diets used contained monk's pepper (M/kg) diet in different ratios as follows; 0gM/kg, 2gM/kg, 4gM/kg and 6gM/kg. Feed and water were provided, and the study lasted for 12 weeks. At the end of four weeks, the rabbits were bred at two days intervals. Data on litter weight at birth, litter size at birth, litter weight at weaning, litter size at weaning were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Significantly different means were separated using Tukey's test at 5% level of probability. Monk’s pepper significantly (p<0.05) influenced treatment groups. Results indicated that significant (p<0.05) difference existed among treatments in the values of average litter size at birth, total litter weight at birth, average litter size at birth, total litter size at birth, total litter weight at weaning and average litter weight at weaning. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in average litter weight at birth. Monk’s pepper effect significantly (p<0.05) influenced the pre-weaning performance of the bunnies across the treatment groups. There was no significant (p<0.05) difference at week three. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of monk’s pepper at 4g/kg of feed improved reproductive performance and pre-weaning performance of rabbit bunnies with no adverse effect