Olabanji R.O., Farinu G.O., Akinlade J.A., Ojebiyi O.O.
Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso Oyo State, Nigeria
Olabanji, R.O., Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso Oyo State, Nigeria; Farinu, G.O., Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso Oyo State, Nigeria; Akinlade, J.A., Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso Oyo State, Nigeria; Ojebiyi, O.O., Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso Oyo State, Nigeria
Thirty-two crossed-bred rabbits of mixed sexes were used to investigate the effect of different inclusion levels of Wild Sunflower Leaf-blood Meal (WSFLBM) mixture on growth performance, carcass and organ characteristics of weaned rabbits in a completely randomized experimental design. Four diets were formulated to contain 0% (control), 5, 10 and 20% WSFLBM. The trial lasted for 56 days. Results showed that rabbits on 5, 10 and 20% inclusion levels had daily feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed to gain ratio that were comparable (p>0.05) to those on control diet. The feed cost per kg diet was significantly (p<0.05) reduced as the level of inclusion of WSFLBM mixture increased. The feed cost per kg weight gain was however not affected (p>0.05). Relative weights of heart, lung, kidney, spleen, stomach pancreas and large intestine of rabbits on WSFLBM diets compared favourably with those rabbit on the control diet (p>0.05). It was concluded that wild sunflower leaf-blood meal mixture (WSFLBM) could be efficiently utilized and tolerated by weaner rabbits up to 20% inclusion level without any deleterious effect. However, further investigation into the long - term effect on internal organs and reproductive performance is suggested. © 2007 Academic Journals Inc.