Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in Rabbits fed graded levels of Velvet bean ( Mucuna pruriens L.) forage

A study was conducted to determine the effect of graded levels of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) forage on performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in rabbits. A total of 24 growing rabbits of different breeds, with initial live weight range of 450-500g were fed rations with graded levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%) of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) forage supplement in the diet in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were grouped into 4 (6 rabbits per treatment) and the experiment was replicated 3 times. The experiment lasted for 63days. Results showed that the final live weight of rabbits fed 30% velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) forage in the diet increased (P 0.05). The study showed that velvet bean forage inclusion levels of 30% in the feed of growing rabbits will improve growth performance of rabbits in Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria, without any detrimental effect. Key words : Alternatives, feed, pasture, production, rabbit.