CARCASS YIELD AND INTERNAL ORGANS CHARACTERITICS OF WEANER RABBITS FED AFRICAN LOCUST BEAN (Parkia biglobosa) LEAF MEAL BASED DIETS

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Rabbitry unit of the Teaching and Research Animal farm of the federal University of Kashere to evaluate the carcass yield, cut-up parts and internal organs characteristics of weaner rabbits fed African locust bean leaf meal-based diets. A total of sixteen (16) weaner rabbits were allocated to four dietary treatments that are replicated four times with one rabbit per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for five (5) weeks. The results of the carcass yield showed that the carcass weight was significantly (P<0.05) affected, the values observed ranged from0.78-1.10kg, with treatment 3 having the highest value while the lowest was treatment 2. All other carcass yield parameters measured were similar. Cut-up parts measured were also similar except the thorax weight (11.79 -14.90%), where treatment 4 was significantly (P<0.05) higher. Likewise, all the internal organs measured were also similar except the weight of the legs (0.60 - 2.54%) that was significantly (P<0.05) different. This study, therefore, revealed that African locust bean leaf meal can be utilized to partially replace soya bean as dietary plant protein source without adverse effects on the carcass yield and internal organs characteristics of weaner rabbits.