ABSTRACT

Twelve rabbits were used to determine the effect of graded levels of toasted lima bean meal in weaner rabbit diets in a completely randomised design (CRD) experiment. There were four treatments in the experiment. Each was replicated thrice. Diet 1 (control) was Lima bean-free while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 25%, 30% and 35% levels of toasted lima bean, respectively The experiment spanned 56 days, during winch data were collected from the animals. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the growth performance parameters except for feed conversion ratio. The highest mean feed intake (42.35g) was obtained with diet 1 (0%). This was followed by 37.80g and 36.52g (which are not significantly (P>0.05) different) in diets 2 (25%) and 3 (30%), respectively and then the lowest 34.61g in diet 4 (35%) toasted lima bean meal. Mean weight gain was highest (16.49g) in diet 1(0%), followed by 16.13g and 14.83g (which are statistically the same) in diets 2 and 3, respectively and then 13.27g in diet 4.'There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in feed conversion ratios. The lowest ratio (2.34) was obtained with diet 2 (25%). Following are 2.36,2.47 and 2.62 in diets 1,3 and 4, respectively. Gross margin was highest (N1760.16) in diet 3.Next are N1757.35, N1744.38 and N1703.57 in diets 2,1 and 4, respectively. Thigh weights (%) (25.58,21.98,24.51,21.0); drumstick (%) (7.69,10.9,10.53,9.0); forearm (%) (7.69,8.31,7.65,7.07); shoulder (%) (9.62,10.99,10.03,10.03); breast cut (%) (15.38,14.29,15.38,14.29); Back cut (%) (42.31, 38.46, 38.09,37.72);obtained in diets 1-4 respectively were statistically (P>0.05) similar. Among the organ weights only the heart and spleen showed significant (P<0.05) differences. All the biochemical and haematological indices fell within the normal ranges and were statistically (P>0.05)AExcept for albumin and WBC. It is concluded that toasted lima bean meal could be included up to 30% in weaner rabbit diets