ABSTRACT

Twelve rabbits were used to determine the effect of graded levels of toasted lima bean meal in weaned rabbit diets in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. There were four treatments in the experiment. Each was replicated thrice. Diet 1 (control) was Lina 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 which data were collected from the animals. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the growth performance laIueters except for feed conversion ratio. The highest mean feed intake (-12.35g) 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°/o), respectively and then the lowest 34.61g in diet 4 (35%) toasted lima bean meal. Mean weight gain was highest (I 6.49g) in diet 1(0%), followed by I 6.13g and 14.83g (which are statistically the same) in diets 2 and 3, respectively and then I 3.27g in diet 4.'lliere was no significant (P>0.05) difference in feed conversion ratios. The 1owst 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 Nl757.35, N1744.38 and Nl703.57, 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 cu (%) (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 satistical1y (P>0.05) similar. Among the organ weights only the heart and spleen showed significant (P<0.05) differences. All the biochemical and hematological indices fell within the normal ranges and t were statistically (P>0.05)1 except  albumin and WBC. It is concluded that toasted linear bean meal could be included up to 30% in weaned rabbit diets