Physical and chemical characteristics of rabbit complete pellet feed containing different level of leucaena leaf meal

This research aimed to evaluate physical and chemical quality of rabbit feed complete pellet with different level of leucaena leaf meal (LLM) replacing the soybean meal. Four formulas of complete pellet with different level of LLM were tested (0, 5, 10 and 15). The crude proteins of the diets were 17.7-18.1 and energy of the diets was 2,277-2,542 kcal/kg. The feed ingredients of the pellets consisted of corn, pollard, Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott, molasses, soybean meal, LLM, copra cake, tapioca flour, and premix. The data measured were physical quality (hardness and durability), and chemical quality (dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, extract ether, and ash). Data were analyzed based on a completely randomized design. The results showed that crude fiber and hardness of pellet were significant (P<0.01) between the treatments. The pellets with 15 LLM results highest of crude fiber and highest of pellet hardness. It is concluded that LLM can partially replace soyabean meal even at 15 without reducing the physical and chemical quality of the pellets. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.