Impact of Tithonia, Parkia and Synedrella Leaf Meals in Kit Rabbits’ Diets: Growth Performance, Carcass Indices and Meat Quality

Animashahun, R.A. and Okeniyi, F. A. and Alabi, O.O. and Odhe, Princess and Olawoye, S.O. and Oluwafemi, P. and Akintola, Oluwatola and Animashahun, A.P. Impact of Tithonia, Parkia and Synedrella Leaf Meals in Kit Rabbits’ Diets: Growth Performance, Carcass Indices and Meat Quality. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 12 (9). pp. 1731-1739. ISSN 2309-3331

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Abstract

A ten-week study on the impact of adding tithonia, parkia, and synedrella leaf meals on the growth, carcass, and meat qualities of New Zealand male kit rabbits was conducted. The rabbits, aged eight weeks, were assigned in a Completely Randomized Design into five dietary treatments, each containing 12 rabbits per group with 3 replicates. Treatment 1 served as the control, while treatments 2, 3, and 4 included 6% tithonia, parkia, and synedrella leaf meal, respectively. Treatment 5 consisted of 2% each of these three leaf meals. The results indicated a significant impact (p < 0.05) on the growth performance due to the addition of these leaf meals. The highest weight gain (2.95 kg) was observed in treatments 1 and 4, while the least feed conversion ratio (5.63) was noted in treatment 4. Although the carcass indices were not influenced (p > 0.05) by the leaf meals, there was a significant (p < 0.05) effect on visceral organs. The general acceptability of the meat across the treatment groups showed similarity (p > 0.05). The study suggests that all three leaf meals have the potential to be used in growing rabbit diets, with Synedrella demonstrating the highest potential. Additionally, the results imply that a mixture of leaves should be encouraged.

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