Experiment 2: Using water spinach as replacement for
guinea grass for growing and lactating
rabbits
Treatment and design: There were six levels of water
spinach replacement (ratio of water spinach/guinea grass): 0/100;
20/80; 40/60; 60/40; 80/20; 100/0
Growth trial: Forty-eight weaned rabbits (New
Zealand white) with average initial weight of 1423g were used in
the experiment. The experiment was designed as a completely
randomized design arrangement with 8 replications. The rabbit was
in individual cages.
Lactating trial: Thirty-six lactating rabbits (New Zealand white) with average initial weights of 3461g in the third lactation were used. The rabbits were in individual cages. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized design arrangement with 6 replications.
Basal diet
The basal diets were molasses block 2% of LW, concentrate 3% of
LW and guinea grass/water spinach ad libitum. The feed
offered was given in two equal amounts daily at 07.00h and 14.00h.
The guinea grass and water spinach was given in the feeding
troughs. Feed samples were taken weekly. Refusals were taken daily
from each pen and pooled weekly. Samples of the water spinach and
guinea grass offered and refused were separated and analysed for
DM, CP, ash, NDF and ADF
Growth trial: The growing rabbit were weighted at the beginning and seven day intervals until 72 days.
Lactating trial: The does were weighted at
parturition and at weaning. The litters were weighted at birth, at
21 days and at 30 days (weaning). Milk of does were calculated from
formula proposed by Labas et al (1986)
Milk production of does = {[Live weight at 21 days of age - Live weight of new born]* 1.18}
The data from three experiments were analysed by ANOVA using the General Linear Model (GML) software of Minitab (Version Release 13.31).