Effects of Fenugreek Seed (Trigonella foenum - graecum) and Coriander Leaf (Coriandrum sativum) as Feed Additives on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Weaned Rabbits

Abstract

A 35 day study was conducted to carry out effect of fenugreek seed and coriander leaf as feed additives on growth performance and carcass characteristics of weaned rabbits. Thirty six unsexed weaned rabbits were randomly assigned to four treatments; each treatment comprised of three replicates with three rabbits each. Treatment 1 contained basal diet with no feed additive which served as the control, treatment 2 were served basal diet plus 250g fenugreek seed powder, treatment 3 were served basal diet plus 250g coriander leaf powder and treatment 4 were served basal diet plus a mixture of 125g fenugreek seed powder and 125g coriander leaf powder. Data were collected on growth performance and carcass characteristics and were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the growth performance parameters in which treatment 2 had the highest average weight gain performance value of (416.00g), followed by treatment 4 (316.17g), treatment 1 (313.83g), while treatment 3 had the lowest weight gain (263.17g). No significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in all carcass characteristics parameters. From the result of this study, it can be concluded that fenugreek seed powder added at the dosage of 250g improved the growth performance of the weaned rabbits.

Keywords: Carcass characteristics, Coriander Leaf powder, Fenugreek seed Powder, Growth performance and Weaned rabbits

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-12-07

Publication date:June 30^th 2019