Growth Performance of Weaner Rabbits Fed Noni (Morinda Citrifolia) and Moringa Olifera Leaf Meal Mixture as Partial Replacement of Soya Bean Meal

Abstract

This experiment was carried to determine the growth performance of weaner rabbits fed Morinda citrifolia (Noni) and Moringa olifera leaf meal mixture (MCML) as partial replacement of Soybean meal (SBM). Fifty (50), 7-8 weeks bucks cross breed rabbits (Chinchilla × New Zealand White) with an average weight of 620g and 625g were allotted into five (5) dietary treatments of ten (10) rabbits per group and were individually caged in an all-wired metabolic cages. SBM was replaced by MCML at levels of 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% respectively and the experiment lasted for 98 days. Clean feed and water were provided ad libitum, experimental parameters covered feed intake, feed conversion ratio, daily water intake and mortality. The results of this experiment showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the final weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and daily water intake across the treatment, diet containing 3% MCML had the highest weight gain of 1157.0g, while rabbits fed 0% MCML had the lowest weight gain of 1084.0g. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the mortality rate of the animals, animals in treatment 1 had 3 mortalities, no mortality was recorded for rabbits in treatment 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. It can be concluded that MCML can be used to replace SBM in the diet of rabbits up to 12% inclusion level without affecting the general performance and the health of the animals.