The effect of feeding graded levels of roasted sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed meal on weaner rabbits.

The effects of feeding graded levels of roasted sunflower seed meal inclusion on the performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits were evaluated. Thirty six (Dutch x chinchilla) breeds of rabbit of mixed sexes were used for the experiment which lasted for nine weeks (63 days). They were matched for weight and randomly allotted to four treatments with nine rabbits per treatment and were replicated three times in a completely randomize block design. The levels of roasted sunflower seed meal were 0, 10, 20 and 30 % respectively. The diets and clean water were offered ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The productive performance results showed that rabbits on diet four consumed significantly (P<0.05) more feed than those on diets one (control), two and three, and the lowest feed intake were recorded in T1 (control). The final body weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain and the feed conversion ratio significantly (P<0.05) revealed higher mean values in T3 (20%) and T4 (30%) inclusion of roasted sunflower seed meal than the T1 (control). The feed cost (N/Kg) and Total feed cost (N) indicated significant (P<0.05) reduction among the treatment groups as the roasted sunflower seed meal levels inclusion in the diet increased. Significantly (P<0.05) better feed cost/Kg gain were obtained in T4 than T1 (control). The nutrient digestibility revealed significant (P<0.05) difference among the treatment groups in all the parameters, but the mean values were inferior in the T1 (control) than the T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The results of carcass characteristics revealed high significant (P<0.05) difference among the treatment groups except in the lungs, heart, small and large intestine, spleen and stomach. Based on these results, growing rabbits could tolerate up to 30 % roasted sunflower seed meal in their diets with no adverse effect.