Effect of Air-Dried Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) Leaf Meal in the Diets of Grower Rabbit Bucks on the Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Economic Cost of Production

A twelve week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of air-dried mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) leaf meal (MLM) in the diets of grower rabbit bucks. Mucuna leaf meal was included at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Thirty grower rabbits bucks were assigned to five experimental dietary treatments denoted T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively in a completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment had six rabbits with each serving as a replicate. Results of performance showed that there were no significant differences in final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed and protein intake. Protein efficiency ratio and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher at T1. Nutrient digestibility by rabbit indicates significant different (p<0.05) in ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), and crude protein (CP). EE and CF were significantly higher at T4, and CP was highest at T1. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in NFE across the treatments. There was also no significant difference (P>0.05) for cost per kg gain. Cost of feed consumed, total cost and percentage feed cost were significantly higher (P<0.05) at T1, T2, and T3. Percentage drug cost was significantly better (P<0.05) at T4 and T5, percentage cage cost and animal were statistically depressed (P<0.05) at T1, T2 and T3 and highest at T5. It was concluded that mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) leaf meal has potentials as a valuable unconventional leguminous feedstuff. The use of Mucuna pruriens leaf meal in the diets of rabbit bucks promoted growth best at 5% and thus carcass yield. Rabbit farmer can incorporate Mucuna pruriens leaf meal at 5% for growth performance.