EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROTEIN ON GROWTH-PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL BREED RABBITS

Three groups (A, B and C) of 10 rabbits per group with well establishe d weight were used in this experiment During the 28-d experimental per iod, the different groups were fed with rations containing respectivel y 16.82 (A), 18.20 (B) and 23.32% (C) protein. The feed intake differe d significantly between the 3 groups (P = 0.0076), as did water intake per rabbit per day (P = 0.0144). The ''week'' effect was not signific ant either on the amount of water intake or the amount of dry matter a nd feed conversion in the 3 groups. The average growth rate of rabbits from each group during the experiment varied significantly (P = 0. 00 90).