ABSTRACT
Performance
of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of sweet potato peel meal in place of
maize-based diet was investigated. 24 weaner rabbits aged between 5-7 weeks and
of equal live weight were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments. Each
treatment having 3 replicates of 2 rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized
design (CRD). Diet 1 was maize based, which served as control and the test
feedstuff (sweet potato peels) quantitatively replaced 5(11.11%) 10(22.22%) and
15 (33.33%) of maize meal in diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Each diet was
offered ad libitum for a period of 56 days. The proximate composition of the
test ingredient is as follow: Dry matter- 89.74%, Crude protein 6.34%, Ether
extract 1.37% C.F 0.36%, Ash 4.58%, NFE 87.42 and Gross energy 3.214. The anti
nutritional factors of the test ingredient are as follows: Saponin 0.67%,
Oxalate 1.08%, Tannin 0.22%, phytate 0.74% and Trypsin inhibitor 0.00. There
was significant (P<0.05) difference for growth parameters considered among
the diets. Diet 2 had the highest weight gain of 10.4267 as against 8.8367,
9.5300 and 8.2700 for diets 1,3 and 4 respectively, and the least feed
conversion ratio of 7.4733 as opposed to 8.8100, 9.0467 and 10.9867 for diets
1, 3 and 4 respectively. There were significant (P<0.05) differences for the
values obtained for cut parts. The result favoured diets 1 and 2 when compared
to others. However, diet 2 had the highest values for the prime parts. The
values of the organs showed significant (P<0.05) difference with the
exception of lung and spleen. For haematological and serum chemistry (Hb, PCV,
RBC, WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophil, eosine, MCV ,MCHC, MCH, creatinine and
alkaline phosphatase), values obtained fall within the normal range of
haematological and biochemical indices for rabbits. For gross margin, diet 2
had the highest value (14227.4600) when compared with the control diet
(N147.5800), diet 3 (N178.4500) and diet 4 (N174.1000) making diet 2 a choice
diet. Judging from growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights,
haematological and biochemical values and economics of the diets, diet 2 is
recommended.
COMFORT, C (2024). Response Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Graded Levels Of Sweet Potato Peel Meal In Place Of Maize-Based Diet:- Osuagwu, Comfort C. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Oct 10, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/response-of-weaner-rabbits-fed-graded-levels-of-sweet-potato-peel-meal-in-place-of-maize-based-diet-osuagwu-comfort-c-7-2
CHINENYE, COMFORT. "Response Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Graded Levels Of Sweet Potato Peel Meal In Place Of Maize-Based Diet:- Osuagwu, Comfort C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 14 Aug. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/response-of-weaner-rabbits-fed-graded-levels-of-sweet-potato-peel-meal-in-place-of-maize-based-diet-osuagwu-comfort-c-7-2. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
CHINENYE, COMFORT. "Response Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Graded Levels Of Sweet Potato Peel Meal In Place Of Maize-Based Diet:- Osuagwu, Comfort C". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 14 Aug. 2024. Web. 10 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/response-of-weaner-rabbits-fed-graded-levels-of-sweet-potato-peel-meal-in-place-of-maize-based-diet-osuagwu-comfort-c-7-2 >.
CHINENYE, COMFORT. "Response Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Graded Levels Of Sweet Potato Peel Meal In Place Of Maize-Based Diet:- Osuagwu, Comfort C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 10 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/response-of-weaner-rabbits-fed-graded-levels-of-sweet-potato-peel-meal-in-place-of-maize-based-diet-osuagwu-comfort-c-7-2