EFFECT OF COPPER SULPHATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON RABBIT PEWORMANCE UNDER NIGERIAN CONDITIONS

Abstract

PB'ke effect of hupplentr:intation of varied levels of copper sulphate (CuS04) on the performance of rabbits was studied. The levels of CuSQ4 supplement used were 0,0.10,0.20and 0.40 %, r(?,, pectivePy. The inclusion of CuS04 at different levels in the rabbit diets
improved growth rate (6.44 - 21.92 %), feed intake (4.40 - 10.68 '/o) and feed efficiency (4.00 12.00 %) as cas~npataedt o the control!d iet. The carcass weights and dressing percentage were also higher (P < 0.115) in 0.20 CaS04 diets than in the other diets. The residual levels of copper in the liver and heart increased significantly (P < 0.05) as the coppes sukpl~dte content of the diets increased.