Effects of graded levels of Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) forages fertilized with rabbit urine on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits

Abstract

The use of livestock by-products as organic inputs offers a sustainable pathway to improve crop and animal production systems. This study evaluated the effects of graded levels of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) forage, produced under rabbit urine fertilization, on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits. Thirty-six (36) weaner rabbits (450 to 500 g) were allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 10%, 10%, and 15% (V1, V2, and V1:V2) total mixed ration (TMR) inclusion of two field pea forage meal varieties and their combination. Diets were offered for 56 days in a completely randomized design (CRD). Nutrient digestibility was assessed using a metabolic trial. Results showed that increasing field pea inclusion slightly reduced crude protein (CP) digestibility at intermediate levels but significantly improved fibre (ADF and NDF) digestibility at higher inclusion levels. Feed intake increased with increasing forage inclusion, while growth performance declined marginally at intermediate inclusion but improved at the highest level. No mortality was recorded. The study demonstrates that rabbit urine–fertilized field pea forage can be safely incorporated into weaner rabbit diets at up to 15% (V1:V2), enhancing fibre utilization and offering a sustainable feed Biofertilizer integration strategy.