The use of different levels of common vetch seed (Vicia sativa L.) in diets for fattening rabbits

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of various levels of common vetch seed (Vicia sativa L.) in the diet on the growth performance and some carcass characteristics of rabbits. In the experiment a total of 96 weaned New Zealand White rabbits aged 35 days and weighing on average 800 g were equally divided into four groups of 24 (six replicates of two male and two female rabbits each). Four levels (0, 10, 20 or 30%) of common vetch seed were included in isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets. The experimental period lasted 6 weeks. The average values of total live weight gain for control group, the first, second and third treatment groups were 950, 945, 826 and 848 g (P > 0.05), feed consumption values per kg live weight gain were 3.65, 3.63, 3.91 and 3.92 kg (P > 0.05), respectively. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences among the groups in live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, carcass yield and the percentages of liver, kidney, heart and lung. However the inclusion of 20 and 30% vetch seed in the diets decreased the weight gain by 13.04 and 10.76% and increased the feed consumption per kg weight gain by 7.12 and 7.40% compared to control group, respectively. The percentage values of head, skin and limbs, forelegs, hindlegs, breast and ribs, loin and abdominal wall were also not affected by these levels of vetch seed. It is concluded that common vetch seed can be given to the rabbits at the levels up to 10% of the diet without adverse effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.