TITLE:
Effects of Carrot (Daucus carota) Leaves Powder on Reproductive and Growth Characteristics of Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Does
AUTHORS:
Margaret Mary Momo Chongsi, Nienga Sorelle Deutcheu, Marie Noel Bertine Noumbissi, Emma Fortune Magloire Bend, Hervé Tchoffo, Kelvin Nguatem, Bertin Narcisse Vemo, Tahir Markhous Adam Mahamat, Ferdinand Ngoula
KEYWORDS:
Antioxidant, Carrot Leaves, Growth, Rabbit Doe, Reproduction
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.14 No.4,
October
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of carrot leaf powder in the diet on reproductive and growth characteristics in rabbits. Thirty sexually matured rabbits does of 8 months old, 3.00 to 3.20 kg, were divided into three groups of 10 rabbits each, which were comparable in terms of body weight. Throughout the experiment, the rabbits of group 1 (control group) were fed ad libitum with a feed not containing carrot leaf powder (control ration), while those of groups 2 and 3 received the control ration supplemented with carrot leaf powder in concentrations of 0.5% and 1% respectively. Data was collected on feed intake, weight gain, receptivity, fertility, gestation length of does, litter size, weight, viability and sex ratio of the young rabbits till 5 weeks post-partum. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the fertility rate, gestation duration and sex ratio of the kits with reference to the control. Litter size at birth was not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced in does fed diets containing carrot leaf powder compared to the control. However, the reversed effects were observed at five weeks post-partum. The live weight of weaned kits and weight gain of rabbit does at birth were significantly (P