EVALUATION OF THE FEEDING POTENTIALS OF Vitellaria paradoxa, Nauclea latifolia AND Terminalia macroptera FOLIAGE AS SUPPLEMENTS TO CONCENTRATE FEED FOR GROWER RABBITS

The feeding potentials of Vitallaria paradoxa, Nauclea latifolia and Terminalia macroptera foliage as supplements to concentrate diets for grower rabbits were studied over a 13-week period. A total of 18 crossbred growing rabbits of equal sexes, aged between 6-8 weeks with an average weight of 515g were randomly allotted to the three dietary treatments consisting of three replicates of two rabbits each in a completely randomized design. Nauclea latifolia had the highest and least crude protein and crude fibre, respectively, which were intermediate in Vitallaria paradoxa but lowest and highest, respectively, in Terminalia macroptera. Organic matter was highest in Vitallaria paradoxa and lowest in Nauclea latifolia. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gains were best in Nauclea latifolia followed by Vitallaria paradoxa and least in Terminalia macroptera (all (P<0.05)). However, feed conversion ratio was similar (P>0.05) among the treatments. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Nauclea latifolia than in Vitallaria paradoxa and Terminalia macroptera. Average daily gain was significantly (R2 = 0.9998) influenced by ADFI and DMD. The forages have potentials to support growth of grower rabbits, with Nauclea latifolia forage having the best potential, followed by Vitallaria paradoxa and then Terminalia macroptera.