Traditional Diet Based On Artisanal Moringa Oleifera Lam Pellets. And Opuntia Ficus-Indica (L.) Mill. On The Weight Gain Of Crossbred Male Rabbits

The potential of using an artisanal pelleted feed based on Moringa oleifera and Opuntia ficus-indica for feeding weaned rabbits was investigated. A completely randomized experimental design was used with 12 rabbits and six replicates, where the growth of 60-day-old mixed-breed male rabbits (New Zealand white X Rex X Chinchilla) was evaluated for five weeks, which were subjected to two treatments (T1: commercial feed, T2: artisanal pellets based on Moringa oleifera Lam). Live body weight (LBW), Weight gain (WG), Feed intake (FI), Feed conversion ratio (FCR), production costs and economic efficiency of feed were analyzed with student’s t-test and Pearson correlation. In general, no significant differences (P <0.05) were found in FI, WG, FCR, LBW, EE and REE and EE. It is worth mentioning that the cost per kilogram of artisanal feed was $0.41, while the commercial one was $0.48. Also, A negative correlation was found between Price of weight gain and lower Body weight gain (R2=-0.956), In conclusion, artisanal pellets could be an alternative to commercial feed, because the results were similar, but the price per kilogram of feed was $0.07 cheaper.