Carcass Measurement of Growing Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Soaked and Boiled Pumpkin Seed Meal

Abstract

A 10 week feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of soaked and boiled pumpkin seed (SBPSM) on the carcass weight of growing rabbit. A total number of 45 cross-bred rabbits(New Zealand White X Dutch) between five and six weeks of age with average initial body weight of  544.45 g were caged individually and  randomly allotted to  five dietary treatments in randomized complete block design.Each Treatment had Three Replicates of Three Rabbits Each. The rabbits were given the experimental diet and water at libitum throughout the period of the study. The level of inclusion of SBPSM In diet 1(control), 2,3,4and was 0,5,10,15 and 20% respectively. The slaughter weight of rabbit,dressed weight and dressing percentage of  were better in T1(control)and T4(15%SBPSM).There were significant (p<0.05)difference in shoulder and loin of rabbit. There were no significance (p>0.05) difference among treatment groups for Head of rabbits, skin of rabbit, heart of rabbit, kidney of rabbit, liver of rabbit, shoulder of rabbit and thigh of rabbit. Finally, diets containing up to 15% SBPSM could be tolerated by the growing rabbits without adverse effects on the carcass measurement of growing rabbits.