Open AccessWeight for weight replacement of wheat offal with cassava root sievate in growing rabbit diet
Author(s) -
L. T. Egbeyale,
O. M. O. Idowu,
O. M. Sogunle,
T. A. Amole,
B. O Ogundipe,
O.O. Adeleye
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v39i1.2263
Subject(s) - dry matter , crossbreed , zoology , body weight , nutrient , biology , carcass weight , completely randomized design , endocrinology , ecology
A ten week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of Cassava Root Sievate (CRS) based diet on the performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. Forty-eight (48) crossbred, 7 weeks old weaner rabbits were used in the feeding trial in a completely randomized design. The CRS replaced wheat offal at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%, respectively resulting in seven dietary treatments, respectively. No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed between the rabbits fed the CRS and control diets in all the performance indices except the daily and final body weight. Weight gain however decreased significantly (P 0.05) across treatments. Biological value and apparent nitrogen digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increased CRS level. Blood serum metabolites of the rabbits were also positively (P<0.05) influenced by the treatments. The carcass characteristics showed significance (P<0.05) in terms of carcass yield percentage with 20% CRS treatment group having the highest carcass yield percentage. It was concluded in this study that CRS could be included in weaner rabbit diets up to 20% without compromising performance, carcass yield, digestibility and nutrient utilization.