Authors : V.A.Togun , G.O. Farinu , O.O. Ojebiyi , J.A. Akinlade and O.B.Popoola
Abstract: Twenty-four cross bred male weaner rabbits of between 5-8 weeks, with mean weight of 804.67 g, were used in a feeding trial involving three levels 0,15 and 20% inclusion of Wild Sunflower Forage Meal (WSFM) in a complete randomized design study that lasted for 8 weeks. The rabbits were randomly divided into three dietary groups of 8 rabbits each. Each rabbit served as a replicate. The parameters measured were, feed intake, daily weight gain, feed: gain ratio, organ weights, carcass yield and tissue development. Rabbits with 20% WSFM inclusion in their diet recorded significant (p<0.05) lower values in daily feed intake and weight gain than both the control and 15% inclusion group. Values recorded for all the groups however did not significantly (p>0.05) differ in organ weights, organ yield and tissue development. It was concluded that WSFM can be included in the weaner rabbit diet up to 15% level without any deleterious effect on growth performance.
V.A.Togun , G.O. Farinu , O.O. Ojebiyi , J.A. Akinlade and O.B.Popoola , 2006. Evaluation of Three Dietary Levels of Wild Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia, Hemsi A. Gray) Forage Meal on Growth and Carcass Measurement of Male Rabbits. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 791-794.