Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Comparative Study of Soybean Meal and Whole Gram on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Rabbits

A. Rahim
Dept. of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agril. University, Mymensingh.

A. Reza
Dept. of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agril. University, Mymensingh.

M. Shahjalal
Dept. of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agril. University, Mymensingh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted for 105 days to compare the effects of supplementing soybean meal and whole gram on growth and reproductive performances of rabbits fed ad libitum green grasses. Sixteen New Zealand White growing rabbits were assigned at random to two dietary treatments either soybean meal or whole gram. Total live weight gain (687.3 vs 674.9 g) and daily live weight gain (6.53 vs 6.40 g) of rabbits fed soybean meal did not differ significantly (P>0.05) from those received whole gram. However, an increased growth rate was observed in animals given soybean meal. Intake of green grass was almost similar in both the groups. But DM intake from protein supplement (43.5 vs 90.1 g/day) and total dietary DM intake (55.4 vs 103.6 g/day) were significantly (p<0.01) lower in group fed soybean meal compared to those fed on whole gram. Rabbits that received soybean meal converted feed more efficiently (P<0.05) for live weight gain than those received whole gram (8.56 vs 17.3 gDM/gLWG). Reproductive traits like total number of kits born, percentage of kits born alive, average litter size at birth were identical in both the groups. However, age at first kindling (198 vs 183 days) and average litter weight at birth (115 us 108 g) were higher and kit mortality (33.5 vs 50 percent) was lower in group fed soybean meal as compared to those received whole gram. Based on the present research findings, soybean meal may be used as a protein supplement for raising rabbits in Bangladesh. But, further research is needed using large number of rabbits in this aspect before final recommendation.

Keywords: Rabbits, Soybean Meal, Performances, Green grasses

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Rabbit

Objectives:

To compare the effects of supplementing soybean meal and whole gram on growth and reproductive performances of rabbits fed ad libitum green grasses.

Methodology:

Animals and housing: Sixteen New Zealand White crossbred growing rabbits aged about 48 to 133 days having an initial live weight of 315 to 1075 g were used in a 105 day experiment conducted at the Bangladesh Agricultural University Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory. They were kept together in an open-sided three storied steel cage for 10 days to adapt to the experimental feed and environment. Each floor of the cage was divided into two equal pens. Rabbits were then sexed, numbered and housed in a group of 2 or 3 rabbits in each pen which provided natural ventilation and lighting. About 1.5 sq. m. floor space was provided for each group of 2-3 rabbits. All the animals were treated with a common anthelmintic drug and a coccidiostat before the start of the experiment.

Experimental design, diet and method of feeding: The experimental design was based on blocking 16 rabbits according to live weight into 3 groups and the blocked groups were assigned at random to two dietary treatments. Therefore, each dietary treatment had two replicates with 3 rabbits and one replicate with 2 rabbits.

The basal feed consisted of locally available green grasses. As a source of protein supplement. rabbits of group A were supplied with soybean meal and group B whole gram. Green grasses were collected every morning, chopped, weighed and fed ad libitum to the animals. Protein supplements were also fed to appetite and were fed separately after feeding green grasses. The amount of whole gram needed daily was weighed and soaked and then fed to the animals. A measured quantity of feed (Green grass and protein supplement) was supplied twice daily at 9.00 and 16.00 hours. Water was made available to the animals at all the time. In the following day feed refusals were collected, dried and weighed and feed intake for individual animals was calculated. Rabbits were weighed initially and reweighed at 14-day intervals prior to morning feeding and daily live weight gain was recorded. Two adult rabbits from each dietary group died during the study. Similarly, two kits from group A and three kits from group B also died between day 1 and 7 of their birth.

Reproductive performance: Performance traits included age at first kindling (parturition), litter size, live weight at birth, percentage of litter born alive, litter mortality (1 to 7 days). At parturition, the number of live and dead kits born were recorded and at that stage, does and their youngs were provided a nest box. Following birth, the litter was inspected regularly to ensure its normal health.

Source of Information: Bang. J. An. Sc. 1997, 26(1-2) : 89-97 (ISSN 0003-3588)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results suggest that feeding of soybean meal to rabbits resulted in a higher growth rate, better feed conversion efficiency, heavier litter weight at birth and lower kit mortality than those fed whole gram. Therefore, supplementa.tion of soybean meal may be useful for production of rabbits fed ad libitum green grass. However, further studies with a greater number of animals are required to develop rabbit production systems using the two protein supplements.

Knowledge Management: Journal