Rabbit Feed Formulation JS 2 Plan

LESSON PLAN: LIVESTOCK FARMING

Subject:	Livestock Farming / Agricultural Science
Class:	JSS 2 (Basic 8)
Term:	First Term
Week:	Week 8
Topic:	Rabbit Feed Formulation
Subtopics:	1. Local feed ingredients for rabbits 2. Preparation of simple rabbit rations 3. Feeding management and schedules
Duration:	80 Minutes (Double Period)

BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Identify local feed ingredients suitable for rabbit nutrition (forages, concentrates, roots/tubers).
2. Prepare a simple rabbit ration using locally sourced ingredients.
3. Draw up a daily feeding schedule and list feeding rules for rabbitry.

INSTRUCTIONAL / TEACHING AIDS

• Samples of local forage plants (Tridax, Centrosema, Potato vines, Elephant grass).
• Samples of concentrate feedstuffs (Wheat offal, Maize bran, Groundnut cake, Bone meal).
• Feed containers, clay/plastic feeders, water crocks/nipple drinkers.
• Daily rabbit feeding schedule chart.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE / ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Students studied rabbit management and growth stages in Week 6 and know that rabbits are herbivores requiring high-fiber diets.

PRESENTATION STEPS

Step	Teacher's Activity	Students' Activity
Step 1: Introduction	Reviews Week 6 and asks students what wild and domestic rabbits eat in their surroundings.	Mention grasses, leaves, carrots, potato peels, and grains.
Step 2: Local Feed Ingredients	Displays and categorizes local feed ingredients into Legumes/Forages, Concentrates/By-products, Roots/Tubers, and Mineral sources.	Examine fresh forage samples, identify plants like Tridax procumbens, and take notes.
Step 3: Ration Preparation	Explains the combination of wilting forage (to reduce moisture and bloating) with concentrated energy/protein mash or pellets.	Learn why fresh wet green forage must be wilted before feeding to avoid bloat and diarrhea.
Step 4: Feeding Management & Schedule	Demonstrates drawing up a morning/evening feeding schedule, clean water supply, and hygiene in feed troughs.	Copy the daily feeding timetable into exercise books and discuss night feeding habits.
Step 5: Evaluation & Summary	Summarizes key points on the board and asks assessment questions to evaluate comprehension.	Answer evaluation questions orally and write down homework instructions.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. Name four local forage plants commonly fed to rabbits in Nigeria.
2. Why is it necessary to wilt fresh green leaves before feeding them to rabbits?
3. List three agricultural by-products used in preparing concentrate feed for rabbits.
4. Outline a simple daily feeding schedule for a rabbitry.