9using Leucaena Leaf Meal in Doe Rabbit Diets

Abstract

Twenty New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits doe of 6 months of age were randomly divided into four groups (5 does in each group). The first group was fed on the basal diet as control, while the other three groups were fed on diets containing either 15, 20 or 25% Leucaena leaf meal (LLM),respectively. Chemical composition, digestibility coefficients, productive and reproductive performance were studied. Results obtained could be summarized as follows :Number of total kits born and number of kits born alive gradually decreased with increasing LLM in the diets from 0-25%.Body weight change in does during gestation period due to incorporated LLM in the diets was tended to be in positive balance. While does body weight change during suckling period were tended to be in negative balance. Feed intake which includes feed consumption by pups before weaning, increased with increasing the level of LLM in their diets.Milk yield on feeding levels 0,15 and20% (2.42,2.20 and2.26 kg/doe) was not significantly different, but milk yield of does feeding levels 25%LLM(1.91kg/doe)were significant (P<0.05)lower than other treatments or the control group.Litter size, litter weight and litter weight gain at birth,21days and weaning age were generally tended to be lower (P<0.05) with increasing LLM in the diets. Feed conversion ratio tended to be higher (P<0.05)by doe rabbits fed LLM diets compared with the control diet.Increasing the dietary LLM resulted significant decrease in digestibility coefficients of DM,OM,CP,CF,NFE and feeding values expressed as DCP,TDN% and DE(Kcal/Kg).On the other hand EE digestibility was not affected by LLM addition.Does fed a diet contained 20%LLM decreased the cost of feed relatively to the selling price of total weaned pups and increased considerably the economical efficiency in comparison to the control and other treatment.From the nutritional and economical efficiency points of view, the leucana leaf meal could be used up to 20% in pregnant and lactating rabbit does without deleterious effect on their performance.