Carcass characteristics and economic performance of rabbits fed on graded levels of dried okra leaves (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Abstract

A ten week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dried okra leaves (DOL) on Carcass characteristics and Economic performance of growing rabbits. Forty-five unsexed Rabbits crosses (Chinchilla X New Zealand white) 5- 6 weeks old with average weight of 720g were used for this experiment. The rabbits were assigned into five treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5) containing DOL at 0.00%, 2.50%, 5.00%, 7.50% and 10.00% respectively. inclusion levels for dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) respectively. Each treatment contains 9 rabbits of three replicates with each replicate consisting of 3 rabbits in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were supplied with the diets and cleaning drinking water ad libitum. Results obtained shows that carcass characteristics of growing rabbits fed diets with graded levels of DOL indicated that live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin, hind limb, fore limb, tail, liver and kidney did not differ significantly (P>0.05) by dietary treatments. Neck, chest and heart of rabbits fed diets with 2.50% DOL increased (P<0.05) compared to those on the other treatment groups. Cost of total feed consumed was least in 0.00% (₦524.72k) while rabbits fed 5.00% dried okra leaves had the largest value of (₦673.73k). This study recommended that up to 2.50% inclusion level of dried okra leaves could be tolerated by the rabbits to obtain enhanced of live body weight, enhance feed intake and improve feed efficiency. Inclusion of 2.50% DOL recorded superior feed cost per kg/gain than the other diets.