Performance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed with different levels of trichanthera (Trichanthera gigantea) leaf meal in pelletized diets
Paper Details
Performance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed with different levels of trichanthera (Trichanthera gigantea) leaf meal in pelletized diets
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of incorporating Trichanthera gigantea (Madre de Agua) leaf meal into pelletized diets for weaner rabbits. Conducted at Cagayan State University–Piat Campus from August to October 2024, the experiment used a Completely Randomized Design with four dietary treatments: a control (basal commercial diet) and diets containing 5%, 10%, and 15% madre de agua leaf meal. Proximate analysis showed that increasing inclusion levels decreased crude protein and fat while increasing fiber and ash content. Rabbits fed with 5% madre de agua leaf meal exhibited the highest growth performance, feed efficiency, and final weight, although differences among treatments were not statistically significant. Higher inclusion levels (10% and 15%) led to reduced performance, likely due to increased fiber and anti-nutritional compounds. The study concludes that a 5% inclusion level of T. gigantea is optimal for rabbit diets, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to commercial feed ingredients without negatively affecting feed intake or health.
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