Reproductive Performance of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Fed Mistletoe (Tapinanthus bangwensis ) Leaves from Different Host Plants

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mistletoe (Tapinanthus bangwensis) leaves from different host trees on reproductive performance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). A total of sixteen (16) rabbits does were randomly allocated into four dietary treatment groups  designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 consisting of four rabbits, each serving as a replicate. The rabbits does were fed with a common concentrate diet and fresh mistletoe leaves from different host trees (Shea-buttter, Almond and Locust bean). Rabbits in T1(Control) were fed with only the concentrate diet while rabbits in T2 were fed concentrate alongside mistletoe leaves from Shea-butter tree, those in T3 were fed concentrate alongside mistletoe from almond tree  and rabbits in T4 were fed concentrate alongside mistletoe from locust bean tree. The feeding trial lasted for 12 weeks during which data for birth and weaning traits were obtained. The result obtained showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in performance among the different treatment groups. It is therefore concluded that mistletoe leaves from Shea-butter, almond and locust bean tree can be fed to rabbits without any deleterious effect on their reproductive performance.

Keywords: Mistletoe leaves, Almond tree, Sheabutter tree, Locustbean tree, Reproductive Performance.