Authors : A. A. Aganga , S.K. Karikari and L. Fabi
Abstract: Ten, three months old, Californian white rabbits were used in a randomised block design with five rabbits per group in a feeding trial that lasted for 98 days in Sebele, Gaborone. The study was aimed at determining the feed intake, water intake and body weight changes of rabbits when fed on bambara groundnut meal compared to lucerne as protein source. The rabbits were caged individually. They were divided into two groups of five, of similar average body weights. The control group received lucerne as a protein source, while the other group were fed on bambara groundnut meal. The daily ration of the rabbits consisted of grass-hay (40%), whole cereal grains (Segaolane) (30%) and lucerne or bambara groundnut meal (30%). All rabbits were given water daily.Data collected indicated that the means of the water intake (ml) of the rabbits were not significantly different. The average daily protein supplement intake (g) was significantly higher (P<0.05) for rabbits fed on Bambara groundnut meal than those fed on lucerne, but the daily body weight changes were not significantly different between the groups.
A. A. Aganga , S.K. Karikari and L. Fabi , 2005. Incorporation of Grass-hay, Whole Cereal Grains (Segaolane) and Bambara Groundnut Meal Compared to Lucerne into the Diets of Rabbits . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 529-531.