Performances of Rabbit Fed Diets with Graded Levels of Bean Offal (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Aims: The aim of the study was to increase rabbit production by evaluating the effects of bean offal on the growth performance of the New Zealand rabbits breed and to reduce the economic costs of feed.

Study Design: Study was conducted in a completely randomized design.

Methodology: For this purpose, forty-eight (48) rabbits of 50 days old were divided into four equal groups each containing 12 rabbits and into sub-groups of 3 rabbits per cage, depending on the rate of incorporation of bean offal (0, 15, 22.5, and 30% respectively for T0, T15, T22.5 and T30) in a completely randomized design. The diets were iso caloric and iso nitrogenous.

Results: The results obtained showed that there was no significance (p> 0.05) different among treatment means in final live weight, weekly live weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR), however, feed intake was significantly higher in the control diet T0 (3251±554.96 g) as compared to T22.5 (31412±554.96 g). Weight gain of rabbit fed dietT22.5 was higher (3173±284.93 g) as compared to those fed on control diet T0 that recorded the lowest values (2986.67±284.93 g). Cost of production per kg of live weight was significantly higher (p<0.05) with rabbit fed on control diet T0 (7835.79±278.62 FCFA) whereas the lowest value was recorded with rabbit under diet T30 (7232.06±278.62 FCFA).

Conclusion: It is concluded that up to 22% of bean offal could be included in rabbit diet to reduce cost of feed and improve performances.