Abstract:
Thirty-six (36) 24 weeks old rabbit bucks were randomly assigned to three treatment
diets. The treatments T1 T2 and T3 which contained T1 0% control. T2 20% raw pigeon
pea seed meal and T3 20% boiled pigeon seed meal and fed to the rabbits in a Completely
Randomized Design (CRD). The mean body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion
ratio did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between rabbits on the control
T1 0% and T3 20% boiled pigeon pea seed meal, but, however, they differed significantly
(p < 0.05) from rabbits on 20% raw seed meal. The dressed weight and dressed
percentage did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the control and
20% boiled seed meal, however, they differed significantly p < from rabbits
on the T2 treatment diets (raw seed meal). Carcass length were similar between
the treatment groups. The cut part and organ weights did not differ significantly
(p > 0.05) between treatment groups, however, higher values were observed in
rabbits fed 20% boiled pigeon pea seed meal. The testis characteristics (testis
weight, tunica albuginea weight, testis length width and volume did not show any
significant differences (p > 0.05) between treatment groups, however, higher
values were observed in rabbits fed 20% boiled pigeon pea seed meal. It is concluded
that 20% boiled pigeon pea seed meal supported the carcass and testicular characteristics
of rabbit bucks.