ABSTRACT

 The proximate composition and acceptability of Panicum maximum, Andropogon tecturum and Pennisetum purpureum were investigated using eighteen (18) growing rabbits. They were allocated into three (3) treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment were replicated thrice with each replicate having 2 Rabbits. The experiment lasted 28 days, comprising 21 days i adjustment period and 7days of data collection. The experimental diet comprised DI — panicum maximum, D2 = Andropogon tectorum, D3 = Pennisetum purpureum. Each forage was supplemented with .50 gram of concentrate. i Proximate composition ofthe grasses and concentrate were determined. The result showed that there were significant (P < 0.05) differences among the grass forages ' for all the proximate components determined. Dry matter ranged from 32.95% in Adropogon tectoreum to 60.55% in Panicum maximum. Panicum maximum showed superiority (P< 0.05) to Adropogon tectoreum and Pennisetum purpureum in its contents of dry matter, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract. Pennisetum purpureum contained the lowest (P< 0.05) ether extract (1.07%), erode fibre (11.04%) and nitrogen free extract (6.84%) but showed higher (P< 0.05) values for crude protein (7.47%) than the other grasses. Adropogon tectoreum was generally inferior to the other grasses especially in its contents of dry matter, crude protein and ash. There were no significant (P < 0.05) differences in the intake from day 1 to day 7 intakes and acceptability by rabbits. The result further revealed that rabbits significantly (P< 0.05) consumed more of Andropogon tectorum (95.09g) than other grasses as reflected in their average intake. It was therefore, concluded that Andropogon tectorum was the most preferred forage by rabbits and could therefore be incorporated into rabbit ration.