Afr. J. Biomed. Res. (1999): Vol 2; 103-108
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING
RABBITS FED GLICIDIA SIOPIUM LEAF MEAL AS A 
REPLACEMENT FOR GROUNDNUT
S.A.O. DADA*1, O.A. ABU2, T.A. OKEOWO1 AND O.R. BADMUS1
1School of Agriculture, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria 
department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Author for Corresponding.
The study involved 16 yreaner crossbred (New Zealand White and Chinchila) rabbits o f about 
eight weeks of a.fetz with initial average weight of 0.69 kg. The animals were offered a 
measured amount of their respective diets. The level of replacement o f groundnut cake 
with Gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) were 0, 25 50 and 75%, to give four diets which were fed ad 
libitum throughout the experimental period of 35 days. The similar average daily feed 
intake of the rabbit fed 0, 25 and 50% GLM included diets was significantly*(P < 0.05) 
higher than the corresponding daily weight gain of the rabbits fed 25 and 50% GLM diets 
and those fed 75% GLM diet recorded the least (P < 0.05) daily gain. Dry matter intake 
(DMI) was significantly correlated with daily weight gain (r = 0.94, P < 0.05) and feed 
efficiency (r = 0.90, P < 0.05).
Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 1999: 2; 103 - 108 
Keywords: Rabbits, Gliricidia leaf meal, performance
Running title: Gliricidial leaf meal as replacement for groundnut in rabbits feed
INTRODUCTION
Over the years, the demand in West However, some MPTs also contain 
Africa for animal production far exceeds secondary plant compounds that may be 
the supply. The potentialities of rabbit as a toxic to the animal (Akin, 1982; Woodward 
fast growing animal with nutritious meat and Reed, 1989; Reed et al., 1990) and 
that is low in fat and fine grained quantitative information on sundried 
(Komolafe, 1981 and Adegbola et ah, 1985) MPTs leaf meal fed to livestock is scanty. 
have been recognized- The continued Our objective was to evaluate the 
dependence on costly commercial performance of growing rabbits fed diets 
concentrates for rabbit feeding results in containing graded levels of sundried 
increased overhead cost incured in rabbit Gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) as a replacement 
production as a cheap source of animal for groundnut cake (GNC).
protein. Gliricidia sepium is among the 
leguminous fodder trees or multi-purpose 
trees (MPTs) which contain proteins, MATERIALS AND METHODS
minerals and vitamins essential for the 
growth of livestock. Multi-purpose trees Gliricidia leaves were harvested, from 
have been identified as potential the livestock farm of the School of 
supplements for concentrates in livestock Agriculture, Ikorodu and sundried for 
feeds (Hegarty et al, 1964; Jones, 1979; about 3 days at a temperature range of 23 
Onwuka, 1983; 1986; Reed et al., 1990; -35°C and relative humidity range of 48.4 - 
Siaw et al., 1993; Richards et al., 1994). 95.3%. The Gliricidia leaves were milled in
African Journal O f Biomedical Research Vol. 2, No. 2, May 1999
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY
' 7* ' " * *  *?r * ' ’
104 Gliricidial leaf meal as replacement for groundnut in rabbits feed Dada el al
a 0.5mm Nulus commercial hammer mill 
and stored in polythene bags until ready RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
for use. Four diets .were formulated as 
shown in Table 1. Gliricidia leaf meal was Chemical Composition
used to replace groundnut cake at 0, 25, The composition of the experimental 
50 and 75% in diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 diets fed to the growing rabbits is shown 
respectively. in Table 1 while the proximate 
Sixteen 56-day old crossbred (New composition of the diets is shown in Table 
Zealand White and Chinch ila) rabbits 2. The dry matter content of the four diets 
averaging 0.69 kg divided into four groups were identical and the mean was 90.05%. 
of similar gender and weight were assigned Groundnut cake (GNC) contained 45% 
in a completely randomized, design to the crude protein on dry matter basis whereas 
dietary treatments with a rabbit per hutch GLM contained about 23% crude protein. 
(35 x 45 x 45 cm) and four hutches per However the diets were balanced to have 
dietary treatment. The rabbits had free 20% crude protein on as fed basis. The 
access to feed and water throughout the gross energy content (on basis of 
study period of 35 days. The amount of calculation) for the four diets was about 
feed offered to each of the experimental 3.5kcal/g. Gliricidia leaf meal had more 
rabbit was measured 'and recorded daily. crude fibre (16.6%) than GNC (6.5%). The 
Waste feed, if any, was collected, weighed replacement of GNC with GLM resulted in 
and substracted from the total feed offered an increase in crude fibre (CF) and a 
and data were recorded for the calculation decrease in ether extract (EE) levels in the 
of daily intake. Individual rabbits were diets. Phenolic (Tannin) content of GNC 
weighed weekly for the calculation of the was not determined but GLM contained 
average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed 1.63% phenolic compound. However, 
to gain ratio (F/G). The values obtained phenolic content of diet 1 (0% GLM) was 
were subjected to statistical anaysis and the lowest (0.31%) while values of 0.33, 
means separated using the SAS computer 0.38 and 0.58% were recorded for diet 2, 3 
software package (1988). and 4 respectively.
Table 1
Composition of experimental diets fed to the growing rabbits
% Replacement of groundnut cake by Gliricidia leaf Meal
Ingredients" 0 25 50 75
Maize 46.50 46.50 46.50 46.50
Wheat offal 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0
Groundnut cake ■ 15.0 11.25 7.50 3.75
Gliricidia leaf meal 0.0 3.75 7.50 11.25
Palm kernel cake 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0
Blood meal 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
llone meal 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Oyster shell 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
Vitamin premix;* 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0
Starch binder 1.0 1.0 1.0 10.0
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
a As fed basis
*Vitamin premix as recommended by NRG (1979) contained the following per kg diet: Vitamin A, 
3,086,440 IU; Vitamin D3 440,920 IU; Vitamin E 6,614 IU; Vitamin B12 10.6 mg; B2 2.205 mg; 
Menadione 1.96 mg; Folic acid 285 mg; Pyridoxine 882 mg; Thiamine 442 mg; d-Biotin 44mg; 
Antioxidant and anti-caking agents.
African Journal O f Biomedical Research Vol. 2, No. 2, May 1990
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Gliricidial leaf meal as replacement for groundnut in rabbits feed Dada ef al 105
Table 2
Chemical composition of experimental diets, groundnut cake and Gliricidia leaf 
meal ____
% Replacement of groundnut cake by Gliricidia leaf Meal
Nutrients (%) 0 . 25 50 75 GNC GLM
Dry matter 90.04 90.06 90.05 90.07 96.08 95.06
Crude protein 20.58 20.56 20.23 20.31 45.00 22.50
Crude fibre 5.31 6.25 6.33 6.38 6.50 16.60
Ether extract 4.50 4.21 4.1*5 4.09 6.00 4.90
Nitrogen free 50.54 50.78 50.89 50.90 35.28 37.56
extract
Ash 8.11 9.26 9.55 9.67 4.80 9.50
Gross Energy* ' 3.55 3.53 3.53 3.53 2.64 2.20
♦
Phenolic (tannins) 0.31 0.33 0.38 0.58 ND 1.63
.
* = Calculated; GNC = Groundnut cake; GLM = Gliricidia leaf meal; ND = Not determined
Reynolds and Adeoye (1986) and workers reported that palatability appears 
Glover (1989) reported that crude protein to be more of a problem for G. sepium in 
(CP), crude fibre (CF) and ether extract some parts of the world than in others. 
(EE) of GLM were between 18-30%, 13- Acceptability of GLM at 50% inclusion may 
30% and 4-8% respectively. Also works by have been enhanced by sundrying, milling 
Lowry et al. (1992) and Glover (1989) and mixing with other feed ingredients. In 
indicated that GLM was rich in inorganic conformity with this practice Merkel et al., 
matter (6-10%). Reynolds and Adeoye (1994) who reported that palatability of G. 
(1986) also reported that NFE of GLM was sepium was improved by wilting the leaves 
44.4%, while Porter et al. (1986) and for several hours thereby reducing the 
Hagerman (1987) observed that Gliricidia coumarin content before feeding.
sepium is relatively low in extractable » Coumarin has been identified a.s a 
tannin as noticed in this study. secondary compound contributing to the 
characteristic smell of the leaves of C. 
Feed intake and Feed efficiency sepium.
The effect .of replacing GNC and GLM The reason for the significantly (P •: 
on feed intake is shown in Table 3. 0.05) reduced feed intake observed at 75% 
Average daily feed intakes of rabbits fed replacement GNC by GLM in this present 
diets containing 0, 25 and 50% GLM were study is not known. Similarly, Mishra et 
similar and the mean value (77.06 gd'1) al. (1977) observed a depression in intake 
was higher (P < 0.05) than 74.94 gd-1 of of chicks at a higher level of inclusion and 
the rabbits fed 75% GLM. The rabbits fed attributed it to comparin- a low molecular 
diet 4 (75% GLM) consumed about 3% less weight phenolic compound that occurs m 
feed as compared to those fed 0, 25 and fresh leaves.
50% GLM replacement levels. The similar' Feed conversion ratio in rabbits fed 0% 
(P > 0.05) feed intake of rabbits fed 0, 25 GLM, 6.38g of feed per g of gain was better 
and 50% GLM in this study was similar to than the similar (P> 0.05) mean of 9.14 of 
the observation of Onwudike (1995) on rabbits fed 25 and 50%. GLM inclusion 
growing rabbits fed G. sepium in mixture and 1.1.41 for rabbits fed 75% GLM 
with concentrates. However Lowry et al, inclusion was the least (P<0.05). However, 
(1992) and Dharia et al., (1993) had earlier diy matter intake (DMI) was significantly 
reported animals’ reluctance to consume correlated (r = 0.90, P < 0.05) with feed to 
diets containing G. sepium. These earlier gain ratio (F/G) as shown in Table 5.
Table 3
African Journal O f Biomedical Research Vol. 2, No. 2, May GV9
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY
106 Gliricidial leaf meal as replacement for groundnut m rabbits feed Dada et al
Performance characteristics qf rabbits fed the experimental diets __
% Replacement o f groundnut cake by GLM
Parameters 0 25 50 75 SE
Experimental period (days) 35 35 35 35
Ave, initial wt./rabbit (kg) 0.69 0.73 0.68 0.65 0.08
Ave. final wt,/rabbit (kg) 1.11a 1.02b 0.98b 0.88c 0.12
Ave, daily wt. galn/rabbit (kg) 12.0a 8.35 8.57b 6.57c 3.43
Ave. daily feed intake/rabbit (kg) 76.54a 76.9a 77.66a 74.94b 2.92
Feed to gain ratio 6.38a 9.22b 9.06b 11.41c 2.26
Mortality Nil Nil Nil Nil
a, b, c, Means in the same row with identical superscript are not significantly (P >0.05) different
Table 4 t t ■.
Correlation between DMI (g, X) rate of gain, feed to gain ratio (Y)
Regression equation Correlation coefficient (r)
DMI (g) Vs. DG (g) Y = 1115.83 - 1.46X 0.94*
DMI (g) Vs. F/G Y = - 3.17 + 0.009X (1.90*
* -  Significant (P < 0.05); DMI ■» Dry matter intake; DG = Daily gain; F/G = Feed to gain ratio
Growth Rate 3.43 for the rabbits fed 75% GLM diet. Dry 
The average initial, final and daily matter intake (DMI) was correlated with 
weight gain of the rabbits fed the average daily gain (r = 0.94, P < 0.05). The 
experimental diets is presented in Table 3. observed feed intake and weight gain in 
The average initial weights of the rabbits this study are similar to the results of 
were similar and the mean value was Onwudike (1995) on growing rabbits fed G. 
0.69± 0.08 kg. At the end of the study the sepium in mixture with concentrates. 
average final weight 1.11 ± 0 25 kg of However, Cheeke and Raharjo (1987) 
rabbits fed the control diet (diet 1) was reported poor performance when G. 
higher (P < 0.05) than the corresponding sepium was included in the diets of 
average final weight 1.0± 0.12 kg of chickens and rabbits. The encouraging 
rabbits fed 25 and 50% GLM. The rabbits growth rate of 8.5gd_1 observed with 
fed 75% GLM diet recorded the least (P < rabbits fed 50% of concentrate without 
0.05) final weight g'ain (0.88+ 0.12 kg). loss of production in livestock but only in 
Average daily weight gain of the rabbits isoenergetic diets (Liyanage and 
followed the same pattern as the average Wijeratue., 1987; Richards etal., 1994,).
final weight gain. Rabbits fed the control It is therefore concluded that it appears 
diet (diet 1) had the highest (P < 0.05) that up to 50% of GNC in the diet of 
mean daily weight gain of 12.0 ± 3.43 and growing rabbits could be replaced with 
the similar (P >0.05) mean daily weight sundried GLM without any adverse effect 
gain 8.46 t 3.43 of rabbits fed 25 ad 50% on performance.
GLM was higher (P < 0.05) than 6.57 ±
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