Response of Weaner Rabbits Fed Toasted Sickle Pod (Senna occidentilis) Seed Meal

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of toasted sickle pod seed meal (TSSM) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. Forty weaner rabbits were allotted to the five dietary treatments of eight rabbits per treatment and replicated four times with 2 rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Five experimental diets were compounded using TSSM at 0%, 2.5%, 5% 7.5% and 10% inclusion levels designated as treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Results showed that all the growth parameters measured were not significant (P>0.05) across the dietary treatments as the level TSSM increased in the diets. Total Feed intake (TFI) ranged from 3201.20 to 3235.40g/rabbit while the total weight gain (TWG) varied from 930.00 g in T3 to 936.67g in T4. Better feed conversion ratio was observed in the rabbit fed experimental diets There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in carcass characteristics and internal weight organs evaluated. It was concluded that toasted sickle pod seed meal (TSSM) can be included in rabbit diet up 10% without negative effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics.