Effects of substitution of pellet of Moringa oleifera to commercial feed on rabbit’s digestion, growth performance and carcass trait.

ABSTRACT

A Seventy day feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of dietary pellets of Moringa oleifera leaves (PML) on digestibly, weight gain and carcass trait of growing rabbits. Solar drying of M. Oleifera leaves is carried out before its transformation in pellets for the conservation of raw material. The PML were substituted to the commercial feed at level of 0, 10 and 15% to formulate diets of PML0 (control), PML10 and PML15 respectively. Forty five growing rabbits, 35-55 days of age, were allocated to three treatment groups with five replicates in a completely randomized design. Pellets of M. oleifera were completely consumed. Digestibility of crude proteins was higher (p <0.05) for diets PML10 (75%) and R15 (70.5%). The best weight gains and feed conversion ratios were obtained in rabbits fed PML10 and PML15 diets respectively for 4.43 1 and 4.63 1. The rabbit’s carcass yield ranged from 60.6 to 64.5%. Pellets of M. oleifera can be substituted at a level of 15% to the commercial feed with a positive effect on weight gains and carcass characteristics of rabbits. The rabbit’s meat of this type of feed ingredient present a good sensory quality.