Reproductive Performance of Rabbits Fed Varying Levels of Soya Bean Milk Residue

Abstract

Twenty (20) female rabbits of mixed breeds aged between 5- 6 months were used to evaluate the reproductive performance of rabbits fed Soya bean Milk Residue (SBMR). They were divided into five dietary groups; formulated with soya bean residue replacing Groundnut Cake (GNC) as a source of protein at 0% 8% 16% 24% 32% levels respectively. The little size, birth weight, gestation gain, gestation length, kindling loss, neo 'natal mortality and coefficient of milking capacity were not affected (p>0.05) by the dietary treatment. However, significant (p> 0.05) different were observed in litter size at weaning, weight gain kittens, weight of kitten at weaning and survival rate to weaning. It was concluded that soya bean milk residue could be included in the diets of rabbit does up to 24% without any deleterious effect on both pre-natal and post-natal performance of kittens.