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ABSTARCT
The experiment was carried out to determine/ evaluate the effect of Feed intake and Weight gain on rabbits as well as ascertain or analyze the economy of feed intake of the rabbits. The experiment was carried out at the University of Benin Farm Project using two breeds of rabbits (Dutch and New Zealand) for a period of 5 months ( October, 2020 to March 2021l). The rabbits were housed in hutches and fed concentrates and forage ( Panicum maximum) ad libitum. The average feed given as well as the weights of the rabbits were determined on a monthly basis. The number of kids that survived after weaning were also observed. The results showed that the average feed intake of the rabbits increased as they became older. There was also increased weight gain as the ages of the rabbits progressed. The initial and final weights of the New Zealand rabbits were observed to be higher than that of the Dutch rabbits. However, the Dutch rabbits consumed more feed than the New Zealand rabbits. Upon analysis of the economy of feed intake, it was observed that the New Zealand rabbits had a higher feed conversion ratio than the Dutch rabbits. However, more money was spent in feeding them and a lesser amount for the Dutch rabbits. It can be concluded that the average feed intake and weight gain of rabbit increase with age and there is a positive relationship between both. Also, New Zealand had higher economic benefit but cost more. It was recommended that young rabbits should be adequately fed because their weight gain depends on the amount of feed they consume, more studies should be carried out on ways to reduce the cost of feeding through selection.
