Article Sidebar
Published:
Jul 23, 2026Keywords:
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All opinions and articles published in the journal reflect the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the Journal. Submission of a paper implies that it has not been submitted or published elsewhere, and that the authors accept the conditions for publication outlined in the journal. Once accepted for publication, authors transfer copyright of their articles to GSAP unless expressly exempted in writing by the copyright holders. Those wishing to use illustrations or data from the journal in other publications should obtain permission from the publisher, and include a line acknowledging the journal as the source of material.
Main Article Content
Prenatal and Postpartum Performance of Rabbit does and Kits Fed Levels of Vernonia amygdalina Leaf Meal
Abstract
Inclusion of unconventional feed resources in rabbit diets presents a promising option for improving performance of breeding does. This study was carried out to assess the effect of dietary levels
of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal on the performance of breeding does and their kits. The experimental diets were formulated using 0, 5, 10 and 15% Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal (VLM)/ kg
diet along with other feed ingredients. Twenty breeding does with their kits were allotted into four
groups using a Completely Randomised Design and fed the diets for ten weeks. The feed intake,
conception rate, gestation length, litter size and weight at birth; postpartum weight of the dams,
weekly litter size and weight, milk yield and survival rate at 3 weeks were recorded and subjected to
statistical analysis at p<0.05. Feed intake was similar among the rabbit groups during gestation
and lactation; a 100% conception rate was recorded for all groups, with no adverse effect on body
weights. The maternal weight change differs significantly (p<0.05) during lactation. Rabbit does
fed diet with 15% VLM had the least average litter size. The average litter weight at birth was similar across the groups. Litter size decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the VLM5 and VLM15 groups
postpartum. The highest milk yield (237.48ml) and survival rate (89.23%) was recorded in the 0%
VLM group. VLM significantly depressed milk yield in VLM10 and VLM15 groups. Vernonia
amygdalina leaf meal influenced the performance of breeding rabbit does and kits in a dosedependent manner. Low VLM levels had minimal effects on indices assessed, however higher levels reduced milk yield and kit survival. Its use in breeding rabbit especially during lactation should
be limited.
