UTILIZATION OF ROSELLE SEED CAKE AS PROTEIN SOURCE IN THE DIETS OF GROWER RABBITS AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR SOYBEAN MEAL (SBM)

Abstract

The study investigated the utilization of Roselle seed cake (RSC) in the diets of growing rabbits as Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal (SBM). Thirty grower rabbits of mixed breed were used for the six (6) week study. The grower rabbits were randomly assigned to five treatments, with three replicates having two rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design. The experimental diets contained RSC at levels of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%, corresponding to T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄, and T₅, respectively. The performance results showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in most parameters except in feed intake. Initial body weight ranged from 708.33 to 715.00g, final body weight 1235.00 to 1268.33g, total weight gain 525 g (10% RSC) to 553.33 g (40%), and daily weight gain 12.50 g (10%) to 13.17 g (T₅ 40% RSC). The fed conversion ratio ranged from 5.33 (40%) to 6.38 (10%). Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in total feed intake. The highest TFI was in T₂ (10%) at 3346.67g and T₄ (30%) at 3285.78 g, while T₅ (40%) had the lowest at 2925.56g. Nutrient digestibility results revealed that the highest dry matter digestibility was in rabbits fed 30% RSC, while the crude protein digestibility ranges from 54.99-68.15% at 0 and 10% RSC. Crude fiber ranges from 57.37-60.24% at 40 and 10% and ether extract digestibility were significantly different (p<0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of 40% RSC did not significantly affect the growth performance and nutrient digestibility. It is recommended to include RSC at levels up to 30% to optimize growth performance and nutrient digestibility.