Vol. 1(5), pp.57-67, August 2013 Available online at http://www.accessinterjournals.org/aijas Copyright ©2013 Access International Journals Full Length Research Paper Evaluation of soybean (Glycine max), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) as sole sources of proteins for growing rabbits D. M. Chisowa 1 , J. P. Mtimuni 2 , R. K. D. Phoya 2 and M. G. G. Chagunda 2 1 Rusangu University, P. 0 Box 660391, Monze, Zambia. 2 Department of Animal Science, Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, PO Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi. Corresponding author. E-mail: mcmchisowa@yahoo.com.sg Accepted 29 July, 2013 Rabbit responses to pigeon pea (PP), cowpea (CoP) and soybean (SB) as sole sources of protein for growing rabbits were determined. Flemish Giant (FG), California Black (CB) and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were fed soybean (Glycine max), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as protein sources in the ration. Eighteen rabbits weaned at six weeks of age were used for each breed (a total of 54 rabbits) out of which six of them were assigned to Ration 1 (containing 31.6% soybean), six rabbits to ration 2 (containing 72% cowpea) and the last six to Ration 3 (containing 70.18% pigeon pea). The rabbits were randomly assigned to fifty four cages in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment. The three legume grains were roasted before rations were compounded. Raw Legume Grains (RaLG), Roasted Legume Grains (RoLG) and the three Rations (1, 2 and 3) were analysed for tannin content (TC). TC was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CoP and Ration 3. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was significantly (p<0.05) higher for FG. Rabbits fed SB based ration had significantly (p<0.05) higher growth rate than rabbits fed either CoP or PP based rations. Rabbits offered PP based ration demonstrated a significantly (p<0.05) higher growth rate than rabbits consuming the CoP based ration. Dressing-out percentage was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the FG than for either NZW or CB. The study revealed that SB and FG were superior legume and breed, respectively. The study also showed that PP could successfully replace SB in rabbit rations without adversely affecting the performance of rabbits. Key words: Rabbit, legume grains, tannin content, feed intake, weight gain, dressing-out. INTRODUCTION Grain legumes (except for soybean) are potential sources of energy and amino acids for rabbits, but their use is still limited because of uncertainty about the amount and effect of any anti-nutritional factors (ANF) that they may contain. The most commonly found ANF in legumes are protease (trypsin and chymotrypsin) inhibitors, tannins,