Performances and economics of weaned rabbits fed varying inclusion levels of Bambusa arundinancea leaf meal (BLM) as replacement for wheat offal
1 Animal Health Unit, Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, Oyo State. Nigeria.
2 Animal Science Unit, Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, Oyo State. Nigeria.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Life Sciences, 2023, 06(01), 001–007.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjls.2023.6.1.0037
Publication history:
Received on 23 April 2023; revised on 19 June 2023; accepted on 22 June 2023
Abstract:
Twelve (12) weaned rabbits of mixed breeds were used for a 49days feeding trial to evaluate their performance on a diet containing graded levels of Bamboo leaf meal (BLM) and wheat offal (W/O). Animals in all the treatment groups were fed a partial or total replacement of BLM and W/O at the ratio of 0:100 (TA), 50:50 (TB) and 100:0 (Tc) respectively. All the animals were also served water ad libitum. All the rabbits were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments of 4 rabbits per treatment and 2 per replicates in a completely randomized experimental designs, data were analyzed using a one way analysis of variance and treatment means separated using least significant difference (LSD). Proximate analyses of the tested feedstuffs were carried out at the end of the trial. Performance parameters showed that average feed intake (18,662.89, 19,332.86, 19,220.88, TA TB and TC respectively) and average weight gain (3,050g, 3,230g, 3.460g for TA, TB and TC respectively) were not significantly (P>0.05) different. However TC had the best numerical value among others while the Control (TA) recorded the least. Significant effect (P<0.05) was observed in Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE) between control group and other groups. Generally, TC recorded the best performance in term of growth and feed utilization. Based on the result of this work, it was concluded that Bamboo leaf meal can be used for rabbit feeding partially or wholly with wheat offal during the long dry season.
Keywords:
Performance; Weaned rabbit; Bamboo leaf meal; Replacement; Wheat offal
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