GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF WEANER RABBITS FED VARYING LEVELS OF KENAF SEED MEAL (HIBISCUS CANNABINUS L.) AS A REPLACEMENT FOR SOYBEAN MEAL

This study was carried out at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Research Unit, Yelwa campus, Bauchi, Bauchi State. The aim of the research was to evaluate the performance of weaner rabbits fed varying levels of Kenaf seed meal as a replacement for soybean meal. Thirty (30) weaner rabbits were randomly assigned to five experimental diets in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with three (3) replicates per treatment and two (2) rabbits per replicate. The diets were formulated with kenaf seed meal replacing soybean meal at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement levels, corresponding to diets T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in feed intake, with rabbits on diet T3 (50%) showing the highest total feed intake (2678.83 g) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (5.84). Carcass analysis indicated significant differences (P<0.05) in dressed weight (338.50 to 560.00g) and dressing percentage (40.34 to 53.16 %), with diet T5 (100% Kenaf seed meal) showing the lowest values. There was also reduced cost with the use of kenaf seed meal. Kenaf seed meal (T3) can replace up to 50% of soybean meal in weaner rabbit diets without adverse effects on growth performance and carcass traits. Kenaf seed meal should be incorporated in the diet of rabbits at 50% to substitute soyabean meal.