Effect of graded levels of maize cob meal as replacement for dietary maize on the carcass characteristics of growing rabbits

A 12 week feeding trial was conducted with thirty (30) weaner rabbits with average weight of 355.00g of mixed breed (New Zealand X American Chinchilla) and mixed sexes to investigate the effect of maize cob meal (MCM) on carcass characteristics. Thirty mixed breed rabbits were used and randomly assigned to treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in which MCM replaced maize at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% weight for weights respectively at the rate of six (6) rabbits per dietary treatment. Results obtained showed that MCM contained ME of 2104kcal, CP of 3.0%, cellulose of 34%, NDF of 70.63%, C of 44%. Significant difference was observed on carcass yield, internal organs and gastrointestinal tract characteristics. Dressing percentage values ranged from 54.05 to 62.44%. It was concluded that maize cob meal can replace maize in growing rabbit diet up to 10% without adverse effect on the carcass characteristics.Keywords: Carcass; Maize Cob Meal; Rabbi

The effect of maize cob meal (MCM) on performance and economy of feed conversion of growing rabbits

A feeding trial was conducted with thirty (30) weaner rabbits to investigate the nutritive potentials of maize cob meal (MCM). Thirty mixed breed rabbits were used and randomly assigned to treatment T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in which MCM replaced maize at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% weight for weight respectively at the rate of six (6) rabbits per dietary treatment. Results of preliminary experiments showed that MCM contained ME of 2104kcal, CP of 3.0%, cellulose of 34%, NDF of 70.63%, C of  44%. The rabbits were fed and given drinking water ad-libitum for the twelve-week experimental duration during which their performance, carcass quality and economic analysis were evaluated. Experimental diets depressed all the growth parameters measured except feed conversions ratio when MCM exceeded 10%. Average daily feed intake was in the range of 34.84-50.01g while average final weight range was 1215.83-1625g. The diet also affected the economy of feed conversion such that feeding of dietary treatments resulted in a positive net revenue of N 398.31 to N 682.31 per rabbit. It can be concluded that maize cob meal can replace maize in growing rabbit diet up to 10% without adverse effect on the performance parameters.Key words: Economy of feed conversion; Maize Cob Meal; Performance and Rabbi

Effect of feeding some evergreen tropical browse plant leaves on performance, digestibility and economic analysis of growing rabbits

A feeding trial was conducted with thirty (30) weaner rabbits to investigate the nutritive potentials of some evergreen tropical browse plant leaves (Ficcus thoningii, Vitex doniana, Daniela oliveri, Sarcocephalus latifolia). Mixed breed rabbits were used and randomly assigned to five (5) treatments (T1 - T5). The rabbits in Treatment 1 were fed concentrate only (control), while those in T2 - T5 were fed as follows; Treatment 2: Ficcus thoningii + concentrate of 3% weekly body weight, Treatment 3: Vitex doniana + concentrate of 3% weekly body weight, Treatment 4: Daniela oliveri + concentrate of 3% weekly body weight, Treatment 5: Sarcocephalus latifolia + concentrate of 3% weekly body weight. The rabbits were fed and given drinking water ad-libitum for the twelve-week experimental duration during which their performance, nutrient digestibility, and economic analysis were evaluated. Experimental diets depressed all the growth parameters measured; average daily feed intake was in the range of 62.67 to 90.17g while average final weight range was 1440.83-1766.67g. Coefficient of digestibility by rabbits was significantly depressed. The diet also affected the economics of production such that feeding of dietary treatments resulted in positive net revenue of N 459.56 to N 628.59 per rabbit. The cost per kg of each treatment feed (N70.61 to N71.11) was lower in the control diets (N70.61) than the browse plant diet (N71.11). The study had shown that the control diet was better in all the parameter measured.Key words: Digestibility, Economic Analysis, Browse Plant, Performance and Rabbit