Twenty-four weaner rabbits of mean initial body weight of 554.8 ± 55 g, of New
Zealand X Chinchilla cross breed were divided into four groups of three replicates
with two rabbits each, in a completely randomized design experiment. They were fed
experimental diets in which loofah gourd seeds ground into meal (LGSM) replaced
soybean meal (SBM) on weight basis at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% dietary levels in a 56
day feeding trial. Performance, nutrient digestibility and haematological parameters
were monitored. The feed intake though not significantly affected (P>0.05) ranged
from 57.1 g at 15% inclusion of LGSM to 60.13 g for 10%. The values for the final
body weight (1564.04 g), daily body weight gain (18.46 g), feed conversion ratio
(3.26), and protein efficiency ratio (0.52) were similar for 5% and 10% inclusion of
LGSM and significantly highest (P