Growth Performance, Economic Value and Carcass Characteristics of Rabbits Fed Lablab Seed as Major Protein Source in Diet

A study was conducted to determine the growth performance, Economic assessment and carcass characteristics of rabbits fed lablab seed. The Highworth variety was processed by decortication, toasting and boiling, mill and respectively incorporated into diets T2, T3, T4 and T5 to provide 75% of protein provided by full fat soyabean (FFSB) in the control diet (T1). Thirty, 5-weeks old mixed bred rabbits weighing between 350-358g were used in a completely randomized design. Rabbits fed heat treated seed diets grew faster than those fed raw or decorticated seed diets. Growth parameters were similar for rabbits fed T1, T4 and T5 diets. The dressing percentage of the rabbits fed control and heat treated lablab seed diets were similar (55.35-59.13%) and higher than that of rabbits fed the raw (45.15%) or decorticated (45.75%) seed diets. Less cost was incurred on rabbits live weight gain using the control diet than the lablab seed diets. It cost N119.65 using boiled lablab seed diet for rabbits to gain 1kg live weight and ?128.91 was spent for the rabbits to gain same weight within the same period using toasted lablab seed diets. Heat processed lablab seed diets were however, more cost effective than raw or decorticated lablab seed diets and more cost was incurred using decorticated than raw lablab seeds. Feeding of raw or decorticated Lablab purpureus seed in diets resulted in poor growth and subsequent death of rabbits. Lablab purpureus must be processed before use in monogastric diets. Heat processed Lablab purpureus seed meal can be used to replace FFSB in diet to provide 75% of FFSB protein.