EFFECT OF BAOBAB LEAF MEAL (Adansonia digitata) DIETS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILTY BY GROWER RABBITS

Abstract

This study was conducted at Rabbitry Unit of Research Farm of the Department of Animal Science, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil to determine the effect of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Leaf Meal (BLM) on the performance and nutrient digestibility by grower rabbits. A total of thirty (30) mongrels (Mixed breeds) grower rabbits were fed to five diets containing baobab leaf meal at 0,5 10, 15 and 20% dietary levels designated as Treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times. The experiment lasted 7 weeks. The results of performance showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the final body weight (1491.33-1937.00g), daily weight gain (23.59-39.33g), feed intake (88.67-118.67g) and feed conversion ratio (2.75-3.79). The results of nutrients digestibilties indicated that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the crude protein (63.33- 81.33%), crude fibre (61.32 85.00%) and ether extract (65.67 - 85.00%) digestibilties. The values crude protein and crude fibre digestibilties by rabbits were higher and better at 15% BLM diet compared to others. Based on this study, it was concluded that baobab leave meal can be incorporated in the diets of grower rabbits up to 15% without any adverse effect on the performance and nutrients digestibilties.