Evaluation of Reproductive Performance of Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaves and Twigs Meals

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the reproductive performance of rabbits fed Moringa oleifera leaves meal and Moringa oleifera twig meal at 0% 5% and 10% leaves meal (MLM) and 10% twigs meal (MTM). Method: Twenty Female grower rabbits of mixed breed with mean Initial weight of 2323.25 ±33.12 and five New Zealand White buck. The animals were randomly allocated in completely randomized design. The data collected includes feed intake, conception rate, litter size, litter weight, weaning weight, and average daily weight gain and litter survival rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistic and ANOVA at α0.05. Result and discussion: The results obtained reveals that feed intake, litter size and average daily weight gained were not significantly different. However conception rate was significantly (P> 0.05) affected. The litter weight after birth was significantly higher in rabbits fed 10% MLM with least litter weight in rabbits fed no MLM/MTM. The weaning weight was higher in 10% MTM while 5% MLM had the least value. The survival rate was significantly higher in rabbits fed 10% MLM with least survival rate recorded for rabbits fed no MLM/MTM. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera leaves/twigs meals at 10% are excellent feed resources for breeding rabbit.