BIBLIOGRAPHY LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013....
BIBLIOGRAPHY
LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013. Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With
Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits And Leaves As Basal Diet. Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Dr. Sonwright B. Maddul
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted at Benguet State University Experiment Station, to
determine the performance of rabbit in terms of gain in weight and feed with efficiency
and to estimate the cost of production using chayote fruits and leaves as rabbit feed.
A total of 12 rabbits was distributed into three treatments following completely
randomized design. The treatments used were: T1 = chayote fruits, T2 = chayote leaves
including petioles and tendrils, T3 = chayote fruits and leaves.
Chayote leaves as a basal diet of rabbits resulted in faster growth rates than chayote
fruits and mixture of chayote fruits and leaves. Higher net return and ROI were realized
from the rabbits given chayote leaves as basal diet, followed by rabbits given chayote fruits
and those given chayote fruits and leaves gave the lowest net return and ROI.
It is recommended that chayote leaves may be given to the rabbits basing on the
gain in weight, feed conversion ratio and ROI.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Contrary to popular opinion, the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a
substantial part of the world's meat supply. However, rabbits are now intensively raised for
food only in temperate, mostly industrialized, nations in Europe and the United States. In
most developing countries, on the other hand, rabbits are not well known - at least
compared with other livestock. But rabbits have great promise in the tropics, and in recent
years, there has been a dramatic increase in interest. For those developing countries where
information is available, rabbit meat production almost doubled for instance, in several
African countries. A number of Asian countries - such as the Philippines, Indonesia, India,
and Vietnam - are also encouraging rabbit farming (BOSTID, 1991).
In developing countries, where commercial feeds are either not available or cost-
prohibitive, Linga and Lukefahr (2000) advocated raising rabbits on a basic forage diet
with an energy supplement. Forages are readily available and cheap in the tropics, and
rabbits, being pseudo-ruminants, have the ability to utilize forages for growth. Though
optimum rabbit production has not been sustained on forages alone using most tropical
forages, it is possible to reduce the cost of concentrates in the rations by utilizing forages
that are nutritious and palatable, In industrial countries, diets for rabbits are usually made
from cereal grains and alfalfa prepared as pellets (Lebas et al., 1997). However, in
developing countries such feeds are expensive and there is a need to develop alternatives
which make greater use of local resources.
The rabbit has a unique digestive tract that utilizes herbage. Taking advantage of
this attribute, many rabbit raisers are trying different kinds of plants as a substitute for
commercial feeds to reduce feed cost. For instance, the chayote plant is abundant in the
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
locality. There are many chayote fruits rejected when packing up the products to be sold in
the market. These “rejects” are only discarded as wastes if not consumed. The utilization
of these wastes as a source of feed for livestock might be one way to reduce and solve such
problems. Along with the leaves, chayote fruits unfit for human consumption can be put to
better utilization as livestock feed.
The demand for human food for animal products (meat, egg, and milk) is increasing
year by year and it is predicted by Leng (2002) that there will be a world shortage of cereal
grain due to the competing needs of expanding human and livestock populations.
Therefore, there is a need for research to develop systems of animal production based on
locally available resources.
The study was conducted to determine the response of rabbits, in terms of efficiency
and economy of gain, to chayote fruits and leaves as basal diet. In addition, the research
attempted to estimate the cost of production using chayote fruits and leaves as rabbit feed.
This experiment was carried out at the Benguet State University Experiment Station
in Balili, La Trinidad , Benguet from December 2011 to February 2012.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The rabbit, a non-ruminant herbivore, has a digestible tract adapted to a high in
dietary fiber. Thus, this animal is suited to consume tropical feedstuffs. There are some
recent reports concerning the use of tropical foliage as a supplementary or alternative
source of nutrients for rabbits. However, no report on the utilization of chayote plant as
rabbit feed was available to the researcher.
Use of Various Tropical Foliages
Akinfala et al. ( 2003) investigated the response to inclusion of whole cassava plant
meal as replacement for maize in the diet of growing rabbits. Growth rates and feed intakes
were higher on the diets with whole cassava plant meal replacing the maize, but there were
no differences in feed conversion. Apparent digestibility coefficients for all proximate
analysis constituents were higher on the cassava diets. The researchers concluded that
whole cassava plant meal can be used to replace maize in the diet of weaner rabbits
without any adverse effect on the performance and apparent nutrient digestibility.
The apparent digestibility and intake of some tree leaves by rabbits was investigated
by Cawad (2004) while the growth performance of rabbit fed with different tree leaves was
studied by Longbuan (2009).
Sarwatt et al. (2003) evaluated the potential of Trichanthera gigantea as a substitute
for the conventional protein sources in the diets of growing rabbits. Inclusion
of Trichanthera gigantea in the diets significantly (P<0.05) increased daily average DM
intake from 51.4 to 73.6 g, protein intake from 11.2 to 16.7 g, growth rate from 12.8 to
18.2 g/d and hot carcass weight from 1203 to 1301 g, relative to the control. The average
feed conversion ratio was not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the diets. It was
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
concluded that levels up to 27% of Trichanthera gigantea could be included in the diet of
growing rabbits to promote feed intake and growth performance without influencing the
feed conversion efficiency.
In Vietnam, Hongthong Phimmasan et al. (2004) found that water spinach as the
only source of feed for growing rabbits appears to support acceptable growth rates of close
to 20 g/day with a DM feed conversion of 2.7. This simple feeding system may be
attractive for small-holder farmers in the tropics, due to the possibility to raise rabbits with
a local resource (water spinach) that is easy to grow and needs no processing.
A similar study in Cambodia was reported by Samkol et al. (2006) using water
spinach taken from the first and second harvests of plants after 30 days of first growth (or
regrowth). Increasing the offer level of water spinach from 8 to 18% of live weight (DM
basis) increased the proportion of leaf consumed, the intake of crude protein and the
digestibility of the DM and the crude protein. Digestibility of crude fiber decreased with
increase in the proportion of leaves consumed. Live weight gain was depressed with
increasing offer level apparently because of a decrease in the crude fiber content of the
diet, as with increasing offer level the rabbits selected "low-fiber" leaves rather than "high-
fiber" stems. It is concluded that fresh water spinach as the sole feed of rabbits can support
acceptable growth rates of 14 to 20g/day with DM feed conversion between 3.83 and 5.18.
The crude fiber level in water spinach appears to be too low to support maximum
performance and better results may be achieved by providing supplementary feed sources
that are high in fiber.
The study of Nguyen Van and Nguyen Thi (2008) aimed to evaluate the effects of
fresh Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) and Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica)
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
associated with Mom grass (Hymenachne acutigluma) and Cuc (Wedelia spp) in the diets
on feed and nutrient utilization, growth performance and economic return of crossbred
rabbits. The conclusion of their study was that Water Spinach, Sweet Potato Vine, Mom
grass and Cuc could be used for feeding the growing rabbits for an utilization of local
available feeds. Water spinach and sweet potato vine associated Mom grass or Cuc at ratio
of 1:1 would be economically used and increase economic return.
Use of Vegetable Wastes
Raksina Timkhlai et al. (2009) utilized vegetable wastes as feed for growing rabbits.
The results showed that the rabbits fed with head lettuce residue had significantly higher
final weight and average daily gain (ADG) than the rabbits fed Napier grass (2,493 ± 4.19
and 2,086 ± 150g and 17.1 ± 0.51 and 13.1 ± 1.37g, respectively) (P<0.01). The rabbits fed
with head lettuce residue had significant lower FCR than the Cabbage residue group (3.25
± 0.36 and 4.14 ± 0.77, respectively) (P<0.05). In conclusion the cabbage and head lettuce
residue can be used as roughages to improve the growth performance.
Aspilan (2006) found that 20% of chayote leaves in the ration of broilers is not
detrimental to the growth of the animals.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Materials
This study made use of the following materials: 12 heads of healthy weanling
rabbits (New Zealand X Chinchilla), weighing scale, drinking containers, and chayote
fruits and leaves. The experimental rabbits were kept individually in elevated cages made
of wire mesh.
The chayote fruits were gathered from Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet while the
chayote leaves with petioles and tendrils were sourced out from Atok, Benguet. Chayote
fruits and leaves were washed and air-dried. The fruits were chopped into small pieces.
Experimental Design and Treatments
Each rabbit was assigned at random into three dietary treatments using completely
randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated four times. The dietary
treatments were as follows:
T1 = chayote fruits
T2 = chayote leaves including petiole and tendrils
T3 = chayote fruits and leaves
Feeding and Care Management
The pens/cages were cleaned and disinfected one week before the study was started.
The dietary treatments were first offered to the animals after which pellets were provided
as supplement. The rabbits were fed two times a day: 6:00AM and 5:00PM. Clean, fresh
water was provided at all times. The rabbits were fed for seven days for an adjustment on
their diet before the experiment was started. The feeding trial lasted for 42 days. The
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
cleaning of cages was done every day before feeding. The experimental area was cleaned
every day.
Data Gathered
1. Initial weight (kg). This was obtained by weighing the animal at the start of the
study.
2. Final weight (kg). This was obtained by weighing the animal at the end of the
study.
3. Feed offered (kg). This refers to the diet that was consumed by the animal.
4. Feed left-over (kg). This refers to the amount of diet that was not consumed by
the animal.
5. Morbidity. This refers to the animals that got sick during the study.
6. Mortality. This refers to the animal that died during the feeding trial.
7. Cost of chayote fruits, leaves, petioles and tendrils.
From the data gathered, the following were computed:
1. Total gain in weight (kg). This was computed by getting the difference between
final weight and initial weight.
2. Total feed consumption (kg). This was computed by getting the sum of the
amount of feed consumed by the animals from the start to the end of the study.
3. Daily feed intake (kg). This was done by using the formula
Daily Feed Intake= Feed Intake_______
No. of Days on Test
4. Dry matter intake (kg). This was determined using the formula
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Feed consumed x % DM
5. Feed conversion ratio. This will be computed by using the formula
Feed conversion ratio= Total feed intake__
Total gain in weight
6. Morbidity rate. This was taken by dividing the number of sick rabbit by the
initial number per replicate then multiplied by 100.
7. Mortality rate. This was taken by getting the quotient of the number of the
animals that died by the total number of replicate then multiplied by 100.
8. Total cost of production. This was taken by computing all the expenses that will
be used during the duration of the experiment.
9. Net income. This was obtained by subtracting the total expenses from the gross
income/sales.
10. Return on investment. This was calculated using the formula:
ROI =Net Profit x 100%
Total cost of Production
Data Analysis
All the data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance for a completely
randomized design (CRD). Treatment means that differed significantly were compared
using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Initial Weight and Final Weight
Table 1 shows the mean initial weight per rabbit in the three treatments. Statistical
analysis revealed that there were no significant differences among the weight of the rabbits.
This indicates that the rabbit have almost the same weight and sizes at the start of the study.
The overall mean initial weight of the rabbit was 0.900 kg.
In terms of final weight, statistical analysis revealed that treatment means differ
significantly (P>0.05). While the experimental rabbits started with the same initial weight,
the animals finished the feeding trial at different weights. Rabbits fed with chayote leaves
obtained the highest final weight of 1.751 kg, followed by rabbits receiving chayote fruits
and leaves with mean final weight of 1.498 kg, rabbits fed with chayote fruits had the
lowest final weight of 1.478 kg. The overall mean final weight of the rabbit was 1.576 kg.
Table 1. Mean initial weight (42 days) and final weight (81 days) of the rabbits
TREATMENT
INITIAL
FINAL
(kg)
(kg)
Chayote fruits
0.93a
1.478b
Chayote fruits and leaves
0.78a
1.498b
Chayote leaves
0.99a
1.751a
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Total Gain in Weight
Table 2 shows the mean total gain in weight of rabbits subjected to the three
treatments. Statistical analysis revealed that differences among treatment means were
highly significant.
Rabbits given chayote fruits had a total gain in weight of 0.536 kg only. Those
given with chayote fruits and leaves had 0.716 kg. Lastly, the experimental rabbits that
received chayote leaves had gained 0.760 kg.
Rabbits fed with chayote leaves and chayote fruits and leaves had a better growth
performance in terms of gain in weight as compared to the rabbits fed with chayote fruits.
Total Feed Consumption
Table 3 shows the total fed consumption of the experimental rabbits both as fed
and on dry matter (DM) basis. Chayote fruit was determined to contain 4.92% DM while
chayote fruits and leaves had a DM of 7.67%. The DM content of chayote leaves was
11.90%. Results of statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference observed in
feed intake of experimental rabbits.
Table 2. Total gain in weight of experimental rabbits
TREATMENT
MEAN
(kg)
Chayote fruits
0.536c
Chayote fruits and leaves
0.716b
Chayote leaves
0.760a
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Rabbits fed with chayote leaves had the highest total consumption of fresh and DM
(8.116 kg and 1.242 kg, respectively). The rabbits given chayote fruits and leaves had
higher consumption at 7.937 kg than those fed with fruits (7.927 kg). Rabbits fed with
chayote fruits consumed the least amount of feed may be because of the high water content
of the fruits. As stated by Aspilan (2006), 20% of chayote leaves in the ration of rabbits
is not detrimental to the growth of the animal but according to this is study we can give
more than 20% in the ration of rabbits.
Table 3. Mean total feed consumption of the rabbits given different chayote parts
TREATMENT
FRESH BASIS
DM BASIS
(kg)
(kg)
Chayote fruits
7.927c
0.638c
Chayote fruits
7.937b
0.883b
and leaves
Chayote leaves
8.116a
1.242a
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Feed Conversion Ratio
Table 4 shows the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the rabbits fed with the different
parts of chayote. Statistical analysis showed that there were highly significant differences
between treatment means both as fed and DM basis. The FCR of the rabbits based on fresh
diet was 18.71 derived for the rabbits fed with chayote fruits, 14.02 for those fed with
chayote fruits and leaves, and 13.44 derived from the rabbits fed with chayote leaves. The
rabbits given chayote leaves consumed the least amount of the diet to gain the highest
weight. The result implies that chayote part has significant effect on feed efficiency of
rabbits.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Table 4. Feed conversion ratio
TREATMENT
FRESH BASIS DM BASIS
Chayote fruits
18.71a
4.41a
Chayote fruits and leaves
14.02b
3.61b
Chayote leaves
13.44c
3.87b
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Cost and Return Analysis
Table 5 presents the return on investment (ROI) obtained from feeding the rabbits
with different parts of chayote. While this parameter was not subjected to statistical
analysis, it is revealed in the table that the ROI from rabbits given chayote leaves was the
highest at 16.26%. The feeding of chayote fruits resulted in a 6.275% ROI while chayote
fruits and leaves consequently produced the lowest ROI at 3.74%.
In the computation of total production cost, chayote leaves incurred the highest cost
(PhP1,626.32) among the chayote parts used as rabbit feed. However, the significantly
heavier final weights of rabbits given chayote leaves generated the highest net return
(PhP264.49).
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Table 5. Return on investment
TREATMENT
GROSS
TPC
NET
ROI
SALE
(PhP)
RETURN
(%)
(PhP)
(PhP)
Chayote fruits
1,596.24
1,495.708
100.532
6.275
Chayote fruits
1,617.57
1,559.238
58.332
3.74
and leaves
Chayote leaves
1,890.81
1,626.32
264.49
16.26
Morbidity and Mortality Rate
There was no rabbit that got sick nor died from the beginning until the end of the
experiment. This indicates that the dietary treatments had no adverse effect on the health
of experimental rabbits. The finding also confirms the report of Aspilan (2006) that the
inclusion of 20% of chayote leaves in the ration is not detrimental to the growth of the
animals.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The feeding trial using chayote fruits and leaves as basal diet for rabbits was
conducted at the Benguet State University Experiment Station in Balili, La Trinidad,
Benguet on December 2012 to January 2013. The study was conducted to determine the
response of rabbits, in terms of efficiency and economy of gain, to chayote fruits and leaves
as basal diet. In addition, the research attempted to estimate the cost of production using
chayote fruits and leaves as rabbit feed.
A total of 12 crossbred (New Zealand X Chinchilla) rabbits was used in the
experiment. There were three treatments replicated four times in a completely randomized
design as follows: T1 = chayote fruits, T2 = chayote fruits and leaves, and T3 = chayote leaves.
The result of the study revealed that rabbits fed with chayote leaves obtained the
highest final weight, total gain in weight, and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, the
significantly heavier final weights of rabbits given chayote leaves generated the highest net
return and ROI. The dietary treatments had no adverse effect on the health of experimental
rabbits.
Conclusion
Based on the results of the study, it is therefore concluded that giving chayote leaves
to the rabbits resulted in significantly higher gain in weight, feed efficiency and return on
investment than chayote fruits.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Recommendations
It is recommended to feed rabbits with chayote leaves, especially during times of
feed shortage. Chayote fruits can also be utilized as rabbit feed when these are abundant
and the retail price is low.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
AKINFALA, E., O. MATANMI and A. ADERIBIGBE. 2003. Preliminary studies on the
response of weaned rabbits to whole cassava plant meal basal diets in the humid
tropics. Livestock Research for Rural Development 15(4). Retrieved on March 20,
2013from http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd154/akin154.htm
ASPILAN, J. 2006. The Effect of Chayote Leaf Meal as Commercial Feed Substitute on
The Growth performance of Broiler Chicken. B. S. Thesis, (Unpub.) Benguet
State University, La Trinidad Benguet. P. 3.
BOARD ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT (BOSTID). 1991. Microlivestock : Little-known Small Animals
with a Promising Economic Future. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
p.179.
CAWAD, J. 2004. Digestibility and Intake of Some Tree Leaves by Rabbits. B. S.
Thesis, (Unpub.)Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
GIDENNE, T. 1992. Effect of fibril level, particles size and adaptation period on
digestibility and rate passage as measured at the ilium and in the faeces in the
adult rabbit. Br. J. Nutr.67:133.
HONGTHONG PHIMMMASAN, SITON KONGVONGXAY, CHHAY TY and T.R.
PRESTON. 2004. Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) and Stylo 184 (Stylosanthes
guianensis CIAT 184) as basal diets for growing rabbits. Livestock Research for
Rural
Development
6(34).
Retrieved
on
March
20
,
2013
from http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd16/5/hong16034.htm
IYEGHE-ERAKPOTOBOR, G. T. and I.R. MUHAMMAD. 2008. Intake of tropical grass,
legume and legume-grass mixtures by rabbits. Tropical Grasslands 42: 112–119.
LENG, R. 2002. Future Direction of Animal Protein Production in a Fossil Fuel Hungry
World. Retrieved
on
September
25,
2012
from
http://www.lrrd.org./lrrd14/5/leng145.htm.
LONGBUAN, K. 2009. Growth Performance of Rabbit Fed with Different Tree Leaves.
B.S. Thesis, (Unpub). Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
NGUYEN VAN and NGUYEN THI. 2008. Effect of water spinach and sweet potato vine
associated with two other natural plants on growth performance, carcass values and
economic return of growing crossbred rabbits in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. 9th
World Rabbit Congress – June 10-13, 2008 – Verona – Italy. Retrieved on March
20, 2013 from http://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-
2008-Verona/Papers/N-NguyenVan2.pdf
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
RAKSINA TIMKHLAI, CHOKE MIKLED, SUPHAROEK NAKKITSET , WICHIT
SONLOI and KANITTA TIKAM. 2009. Utilization of vegetable wastes as rabbit
feed to reduce pollution. In R. Preston and Vo Lam (eds.) 2009. Proceedings of
MEKARN Workshop on Livestock, Climate Change and the Environment held at
the An Giang University, Vietnam on November 16-18, 2009. Retrieved on March
20,
2013
from
http://www.mekarn.org/workshops/environ/Abstracts/choke_091909.htm
SARWATT S., G. LASWAI and R. UBWE. 2003. Evaluation of the potential of
Trichanthera gigantea as a source of nutrients for rabbit diets under small-holder
production system in Tanzania. Livestock Research for Rural Development 15
(11).Retrieved March 22, 113, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd15/11/sarw1511.htm
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013. Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With
Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits And Leaves As Basal Diet. Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Dr. Sonwright B. Maddul
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted at Benguet State University Experiment Station, to
determine the performance of rabbit in terms of gain in weight and feed with efficiency
and to estimate the cost of production using chayote fruits and leaves as rabbit feed.
A total of 12 rabbits was distributed into three treatments following completely
randomized design. The treatments used were: T1 = chayote fruits, T2 = chayote leaves
including petioles and tendrils, T3 = chayote fruits and leaves.
Chayote leaves as a basal diet of rabbits resulted in faster growth rates than chayote
fruits and mixture of chayote fruits and leaves. Higher net return and ROI were realized
from the rabbits given chayote leaves as basal diet, followed by rabbits given chayote fruits
and those given chayote fruits and leaves gave the lowest net return and ROI.
It is recommended that chayote leaves may be given to the rabbits basing on the
gain in weight, feed conversion ratio and ROI.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Contrary to popular opinion, the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a
substantial part of the world's meat supply. However, rabbits are now intensively raised for
food only in temperate, mostly industrialized, nations in Europe and the United States. In
most developing countries, on the other hand, rabbits are not well known - at least
compared with other livestock. But rabbits have great promise in the tropics, and in recent
years, there has been a dramatic increase in interest. For those developing countries where
information is available, rabbit meat production almost doubled for instance, in several
African countries. A number of Asian countries - such as the Philippines, Indonesia, India,
and Vietnam - are also encouraging rabbit farming (BOSTID, 1991).
In developing countries, where commercial feeds are either not available or cost-
prohibitive, Linga and Lukefahr (2000) advocated raising rabbits on a basic forage diet
with an energy supplement. Forages are readily available and cheap in the tropics, and
rabbits, being pseudo-ruminants, have the ability to utilize forages for growth. Though
optimum rabbit production has not been sustained on forages alone using most tropical
forages, it is possible to reduce the cost of concentrates in the rations by utilizing forages
that are nutritious and palatable, In industrial countries, diets for rabbits are usually made
from cereal grains and alfalfa prepared as pellets (Lebas et al., 1997). However, in
developing countries such feeds are expensive and there is a need to develop alternatives
which make greater use of local resources.
The rabbit has a unique digestive tract that utilizes herbage. Taking advantage of
this attribute, many rabbit raisers are trying different kinds of plants as a substitute for
commercial feeds to reduce feed cost. For instance, the chayote plant is abundant in the
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
locality. There are many chayote fruits rejected when packing up the products to be sold in
the market. These “rejects” are only discarded as wastes if not consumed. The utilization
of these wastes as a source of feed for livestock might be one way to reduce and solve such
problems. Along with the leaves, chayote fruits unfit for human consumption can be put to
better utilization as livestock feed.
The demand for human food for animal products (meat, egg, and milk) is increasing
year by year and it is predicted by Leng (2002) that there will be a world shortage of cereal
grain due to the competing needs of expanding human and livestock populations.
Therefore, there is a need for research to develop systems of animal production based on
locally available resources.
The study was conducted to determine the response of rabbits, in terms of efficiency
and economy of gain, to chayote fruits and leaves as basal diet. In addition, the research
attempted to estimate the cost of production using chayote fruits and leaves as rabbit feed.
This experiment was carried out at the Benguet State University Experiment Station
in Balili, La Trinidad , Benguet from December 2011 to February 2012.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The rabbit, a non-ruminant herbivore, has a digestible tract adapted to a high in
dietary fiber. Thus, this animal is suited to consume tropical feedstuffs. There are some
recent reports concerning the use of tropical foliage as a supplementary or alternative
source of nutrients for rabbits. However, no report on the utilization of chayote plant as
rabbit feed was available to the researcher.
Use of Various Tropical Foliages
Akinfala et al. ( 2003) investigated the response to inclusion of whole cassava plant
meal as replacement for maize in the diet of growing rabbits. Growth rates and feed intakes
were higher on the diets with whole cassava plant meal replacing the maize, but there were
no differences in feed conversion. Apparent digestibility coefficients for all proximate
analysis constituents were higher on the cassava diets. The researchers concluded that
whole cassava plant meal can be used to replace maize in the diet of weaner rabbits
without any adverse effect on the performance and apparent nutrient digestibility.
The apparent digestibility and intake of some tree leaves by rabbits was investigated
by Cawad (2004) while the growth performance of rabbit fed with different tree leaves was
studied by Longbuan (2009).
Sarwatt et al. (2003) evaluated the potential of Trichanthera gigantea as a substitute
for the conventional protein sources in the diets of growing rabbits. Inclusion
of Trichanthera gigantea in the diets significantly (P<0.05) increased daily average DM
intake from 51.4 to 73.6 g, protein intake from 11.2 to 16.7 g, growth rate from 12.8 to
18.2 g/d and hot carcass weight from 1203 to 1301 g, relative to the control. The average
feed conversion ratio was not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the diets. It was
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
concluded that levels up to 27% of Trichanthera gigantea could be included in the diet of
growing rabbits to promote feed intake and growth performance without influencing the
feed conversion efficiency.
In Vietnam, Hongthong Phimmasan et al. (2004) found that water spinach as the
only source of feed for growing rabbits appears to support acceptable growth rates of close
to 20 g/day with a DM feed conversion of 2.7. This simple feeding system may be
attractive for small-holder farmers in the tropics, due to the possibility to raise rabbits with
a local resource (water spinach) that is easy to grow and needs no processing.
A similar study in Cambodia was reported by Samkol et al. (2006) using water
spinach taken from the first and second harvests of plants after 30 days of first growth (or
regrowth). Increasing the offer level of water spinach from 8 to 18% of live weight (DM
basis) increased the proportion of leaf consumed, the intake of crude protein and the
digestibility of the DM and the crude protein. Digestibility of crude fiber decreased with
increase in the proportion of leaves consumed. Live weight gain was depressed with
increasing offer level apparently because of a decrease in the crude fiber content of the
diet, as with increasing offer level the rabbits selected "low-fiber" leaves rather than "high-
fiber" stems. It is concluded that fresh water spinach as the sole feed of rabbits can support
acceptable growth rates of 14 to 20g/day with DM feed conversion between 3.83 and 5.18.
The crude fiber level in water spinach appears to be too low to support maximum
performance and better results may be achieved by providing supplementary feed sources
that are high in fiber.
The study of Nguyen Van and Nguyen Thi (2008) aimed to evaluate the effects of
fresh Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) and Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica)
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
associated with Mom grass (Hymenachne acutigluma) and Cuc (Wedelia spp) in the diets
on feed and nutrient utilization, growth performance and economic return of crossbred
rabbits. The conclusion of their study was that Water Spinach, Sweet Potato Vine, Mom
grass and Cuc could be used for feeding the growing rabbits for an utilization of local
available feeds. Water spinach and sweet potato vine associated Mom grass or Cuc at ratio
of 1:1 would be economically used and increase economic return.
Use of Vegetable Wastes
Raksina Timkhlai et al. (2009) utilized vegetable wastes as feed for growing rabbits.
The results showed that the rabbits fed with head lettuce residue had significantly higher
final weight and average daily gain (ADG) than the rabbits fed Napier grass (2,493 ± 4.19
and 2,086 ± 150g and 17.1 ± 0.51 and 13.1 ± 1.37g, respectively) (P<0.01). The rabbits fed
with head lettuce residue had significant lower FCR than the Cabbage residue group (3.25
± 0.36 and 4.14 ± 0.77, respectively) (P<0.05). In conclusion the cabbage and head lettuce
residue can be used as roughages to improve the growth performance.
Aspilan (2006) found that 20% of chayote leaves in the ration of broilers is not
detrimental to the growth of the animals.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Materials
This study made use of the following materials: 12 heads of healthy weanling
rabbits (New Zealand X Chinchilla), weighing scale, drinking containers, and chayote
fruits and leaves. The experimental rabbits were kept individually in elevated cages made
of wire mesh.
The chayote fruits were gathered from Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet while the
chayote leaves with petioles and tendrils were sourced out from Atok, Benguet. Chayote
fruits and leaves were washed and air-dried. The fruits were chopped into small pieces.
Experimental Design and Treatments
Each rabbit was assigned at random into three dietary treatments using completely
randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated four times. The dietary
treatments were as follows:
T1 = chayote fruits
T2 = chayote leaves including petiole and tendrils
T3 = chayote fruits and leaves
Feeding and Care Management
The pens/cages were cleaned and disinfected one week before the study was started.
The dietary treatments were first offered to the animals after which pellets were provided
as supplement. The rabbits were fed two times a day: 6:00AM and 5:00PM. Clean, fresh
water was provided at all times. The rabbits were fed for seven days for an adjustment on
their diet before the experiment was started. The feeding trial lasted for 42 days. The
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
cleaning of cages was done every day before feeding. The experimental area was cleaned
every day.
Data Gathered
1. Initial weight (kg). This was obtained by weighing the animal at the start of the
study.
2. Final weight (kg). This was obtained by weighing the animal at the end of the
study.
3. Feed offered (kg). This refers to the diet that was consumed by the animal.
4. Feed left-over (kg). This refers to the amount of diet that was not consumed by
the animal.
5. Morbidity. This refers to the animals that got sick during the study.
6. Mortality. This refers to the animal that died during the feeding trial.
7. Cost of chayote fruits, leaves, petioles and tendrils.
From the data gathered, the following were computed:
1. Total gain in weight (kg). This was computed by getting the difference between
final weight and initial weight.
2. Total feed consumption (kg). This was computed by getting the sum of the
amount of feed consumed by the animals from the start to the end of the study.
3. Daily feed intake (kg). This was done by using the formula
Daily Feed Intake= Feed Intake_______
No. of Days on Test
4. Dry matter intake (kg). This was determined using the formula
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Feed consumed x % DM
5. Feed conversion ratio. This will be computed by using the formula
Feed conversion ratio= Total feed intake__
Total gain in weight
6. Morbidity rate. This was taken by dividing the number of sick rabbit by the
initial number per replicate then multiplied by 100.
7. Mortality rate. This was taken by getting the quotient of the number of the
animals that died by the total number of replicate then multiplied by 100.
8. Total cost of production. This was taken by computing all the expenses that will
be used during the duration of the experiment.
9. Net income. This was obtained by subtracting the total expenses from the gross
income/sales.
10. Return on investment. This was calculated using the formula:
ROI =Net Profit x 100%
Total cost of Production
Data Analysis
All the data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance for a completely
randomized design (CRD). Treatment means that differed significantly were compared
using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Initial Weight and Final Weight
Table 1 shows the mean initial weight per rabbit in the three treatments. Statistical
analysis revealed that there were no significant differences among the weight of the rabbits.
This indicates that the rabbit have almost the same weight and sizes at the start of the study.
The overall mean initial weight of the rabbit was 0.900 kg.
In terms of final weight, statistical analysis revealed that treatment means differ
significantly (P>0.05). While the experimental rabbits started with the same initial weight,
the animals finished the feeding trial at different weights. Rabbits fed with chayote leaves
obtained the highest final weight of 1.751 kg, followed by rabbits receiving chayote fruits
and leaves with mean final weight of 1.498 kg, rabbits fed with chayote fruits had the
lowest final weight of 1.478 kg. The overall mean final weight of the rabbit was 1.576 kg.
Table 1. Mean initial weight (42 days) and final weight (81 days) of the rabbits
TREATMENT
INITIAL
FINAL
(kg)
(kg)
Chayote fruits
0.93a
1.478b
Chayote fruits and leaves
0.78a
1.498b
Chayote leaves
0.99a
1.751a
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Total Gain in Weight
Table 2 shows the mean total gain in weight of rabbits subjected to the three
treatments. Statistical analysis revealed that differences among treatment means were
highly significant.
Rabbits given chayote fruits had a total gain in weight of 0.536 kg only. Those
given with chayote fruits and leaves had 0.716 kg. Lastly, the experimental rabbits that
received chayote leaves had gained 0.760 kg.
Rabbits fed with chayote leaves and chayote fruits and leaves had a better growth
performance in terms of gain in weight as compared to the rabbits fed with chayote fruits.
Total Feed Consumption
Table 3 shows the total fed consumption of the experimental rabbits both as fed
and on dry matter (DM) basis. Chayote fruit was determined to contain 4.92% DM while
chayote fruits and leaves had a DM of 7.67%. The DM content of chayote leaves was
11.90%. Results of statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference observed in
feed intake of experimental rabbits.
Table 2. Total gain in weight of experimental rabbits
TREATMENT
MEAN
(kg)
Chayote fruits
0.536c
Chayote fruits and leaves
0.716b
Chayote leaves
0.760a
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Rabbits fed with chayote leaves had the highest total consumption of fresh and DM
(8.116 kg and 1.242 kg, respectively). The rabbits given chayote fruits and leaves had
higher consumption at 7.937 kg than those fed with fruits (7.927 kg). Rabbits fed with
chayote fruits consumed the least amount of feed may be because of the high water content
of the fruits. As stated by Aspilan (2006), 20% of chayote leaves in the ration of rabbits
is not detrimental to the growth of the animal but according to this is study we can give
more than 20% in the ration of rabbits.
Table 3. Mean total feed consumption of the rabbits given different chayote parts
TREATMENT
FRESH BASIS
DM BASIS
(kg)
(kg)
Chayote fruits
7.927c
0.638c
Chayote fruits
7.937b
0.883b
and leaves
Chayote leaves
8.116a
1.242a
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Feed Conversion Ratio
Table 4 shows the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the rabbits fed with the different
parts of chayote. Statistical analysis showed that there were highly significant differences
between treatment means both as fed and DM basis. The FCR of the rabbits based on fresh
diet was 18.71 derived for the rabbits fed with chayote fruits, 14.02 for those fed with
chayote fruits and leaves, and 13.44 derived from the rabbits fed with chayote leaves. The
rabbits given chayote leaves consumed the least amount of the diet to gain the highest
weight. The result implies that chayote part has significant effect on feed efficiency of
rabbits.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Table 4. Feed conversion ratio
TREATMENT
FRESH BASIS DM BASIS
Chayote fruits
18.71a
4.41a
Chayote fruits and leaves
14.02b
3.61b
Chayote leaves
13.44c
3.87b
a,b Means with the same superscript are not significantly different (P>0.05) by DMRT.
Cost and Return Analysis
Table 5 presents the return on investment (ROI) obtained from feeding the rabbits
with different parts of chayote. While this parameter was not subjected to statistical
analysis, it is revealed in the table that the ROI from rabbits given chayote leaves was the
highest at 16.26%. The feeding of chayote fruits resulted in a 6.275% ROI while chayote
fruits and leaves consequently produced the lowest ROI at 3.74%.
In the computation of total production cost, chayote leaves incurred the highest cost
(PhP1,626.32) among the chayote parts used as rabbit feed. However, the significantly
heavier final weights of rabbits given chayote leaves generated the highest net return
(PhP264.49).
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Table 5. Return on investment
TREATMENT
GROSS
TPC
NET
ROI
SALE
(PhP)
RETURN
(%)
(PhP)
(PhP)
Chayote fruits
1,596.24
1,495.708
100.532
6.275
Chayote fruits
1,617.57
1,559.238
58.332
3.74
and leaves
Chayote leaves
1,890.81
1,626.32
264.49
16.26
Morbidity and Mortality Rate
There was no rabbit that got sick nor died from the beginning until the end of the
experiment. This indicates that the dietary treatments had no adverse effect on the health
of experimental rabbits. The finding also confirms the report of Aspilan (2006) that the
inclusion of 20% of chayote leaves in the ration is not detrimental to the growth of the
animals.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The feeding trial using chayote fruits and leaves as basal diet for rabbits was
conducted at the Benguet State University Experiment Station in Balili, La Trinidad,
Benguet on December 2012 to January 2013. The study was conducted to determine the
response of rabbits, in terms of efficiency and economy of gain, to chayote fruits and leaves
as basal diet. In addition, the research attempted to estimate the cost of production using
chayote fruits and leaves as rabbit feed.
A total of 12 crossbred (New Zealand X Chinchilla) rabbits was used in the
experiment. There were three treatments replicated four times in a completely randomized
design as follows: T1 = chayote fruits, T2 = chayote fruits and leaves, and T3 = chayote leaves.
The result of the study revealed that rabbits fed with chayote leaves obtained the
highest final weight, total gain in weight, and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, the
significantly heavier final weights of rabbits given chayote leaves generated the highest net
return and ROI. The dietary treatments had no adverse effect on the health of experimental
rabbits.
Conclusion
Based on the results of the study, it is therefore concluded that giving chayote leaves
to the rabbits resulted in significantly higher gain in weight, feed efficiency and return on
investment than chayote fruits.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
Recommendations
It is recommended to feed rabbits with chayote leaves, especially during times of
feed shortage. Chayote fruits can also be utilized as rabbit feed when these are abundant
and the retail price is low.
Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
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Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013
RAKSINA TIMKHLAI, CHOKE MIKLED, SUPHAROEK NAKKITSET , WICHIT
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Growth Performance Of Rabbits Fed With Chayote (Sechium Edule Jacq. Swartz) Fruits
And Leaves As Basal Diet | LAOANA, MELVAL. APRIL 2013