GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF WEANER RABBITS FED VARYING LEVELS OF AGERATUM CONYZOIDES LEAF MEAL

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, carcass characteristics and internal organ responses of weaner rabbits fed varying levels of Ageratum conyzoides leaf meal (ACLM). A total of 40 weaner rabbits were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement of groundnut haulm with ACLM, designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. The results indicated that rabbits on the 50% ACLM diet (T3) exhibited the highest total weight gain (670 g) and weekly weight gain (97 g), while those on the control diet (T1) had a total weight gain of 630 g. The dressing percentage was highest in T4 (46.40%) and lowest in T5 (35.61%). Internal organ weights also varied significantly, with the full gastrointestinal tract weight being highest in T4 (305 g) and the liver weight highest in T3 (42.13 g). The findings suggest that incorporating ACLM at 50% level in rabbit diets promotes optimal growth performance and carcass yield, highlighting its potential as a sustainable feed resource. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts of ACLM inclusion in rabbit production systems.