Mulberry ( Morus alba ) leaves contain a high amount of digestible carbohydrates, protein and minerals, making it an attractive, natural, low-cost feed ingredient in rabbit rations. The present study evaluated the effect of stepwise replacement of a concentrate diet with wilted M. alba leaves on growth performance and meat quality of rabbits. Sixty indigenous rabbits (age, 36 ± 2 days) were assigned to 5 diets (12 rabbits per diet). The 5 diets consisted of a commercial concentrate diet (control; WML0), and stepwise replacement of the concentrate with 25% (WML25), 50% (WML50), 75% (WML75), and 100% (WML100) wilted M. alba leaves. Final body weight (1238 g/rabbit), and total (904.1 g/rabbit) and daily (18.8 g/day/rabbit) weight gains were higher (P 0.05) meat pH, water release and cooking loss. In conclusion, M. alba successfully replaced 50% of concentrate in rabbit diet and supported a higher growth performance and carcass yield without negative effects on meat quality.
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