Growth and Haematological Response of Growing Rabbits to Diets Containing Graded Levels of Sun Dried Bovine Rumen Content (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION The need to improve rabbit production in Nigeria to increase supplies of animal protein is clear, due to the high cost of chicken and beef. Also, the animal protein shortage facing Nigeria cannot be solved by large animals with their slow production cycle. Animals like rabbits, with very short gestation periods and production cycles, can help this protein shortage problem. Rabbits can be produced on forages alone, although production can improve by adding other feed supplements. The need to explore other less common, but potential, sources of animal protein such as rabbits has been supported [1]. Recently, there has been increased awareness in rabbit production. The advantages projected include the high reproductive rate, rapid maturity, high genetic potential, efficient feed utilization, limited competition with humans for food and high quality nutritious meat [2]. Rabbits have been introduced into West Africa as farm animals of economic value. They are low in fat, succulent, nicely flavored and provide a palatable change to chicken and other meats [3, 4]. It is also reported that rabbit meat plays an important role in preventing vascular disease due to its extremely low cholesterol and sodium levels [4]. This makes rabbit meat a good source of animal protein for coronary heart patients and people on low sodium diets. Rabbit meat also has no religious taboos about its consumption [4].