PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG RABBITS FED VARYING LEVELS OF SOLDIER FLY LARVAE MEAL

Abstract

Investigation was carried out on the performance and carcass characteristics of young rabbits fed graded levels of soldier fly larvae meal (SFLM). SFLM was incorporated ill to the rabbit’s diet at 8, 3, 6, 9 and 12% levels. There was a progressive no significant decrease in the gain (DWG) showed no significant differences between the control and the rabbits fed SFLM up to 6% level. Feed conversion  FCE) showed that treatments A, 8, lard C were superior to the control diet up to an inclusion level of 6% SPLM. The dressing percentage of rabbits on Diet C (6%) SFLM) had the highest mean value (63.3%). Hence, SFLM inclusion levels should not exceed 6% in the diets of rabbits. Also incorporation of SFLM in rabbit diets had no adverse effects on the carcass anti organ weights of rabbits.