Performance characteristics of rabbits fed some wild evergreen forages

A ten-week trial was conducted to examine the effect of feeding four wild forages (Daniella oliveri, Sarcopcephalus latifolia, Vitex doniana and Ficus  thoningii) on the performance characteristics of rabbits; the four forages constituted treatments 1 – 4, respectively. Twenty four unsexed rabbits of mixed breeds aged, between four and five weeks with average weight of 514g were used for the study. The animals were randomly allotted to the  four treatments, each with three replicates of two rabbits per replicates. The parameters measured were, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass parts and organs weights. The results of the proximate composition especially crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) were within the ranges of 15-30% CP and 20-45% CF respectively as recommended for optimum performance of rabbits. The results of the performance generally  showed positive growth response as all the forages had potentials for supporting rabbit growth. The live weight gain and feed intake of  experimental rabbits were significantly different (P<0.05). However, feed conversion ratio was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the treatments. No health hazards of any nature were encountered throughout the experiment which may imply that these forages apart from supporting growth may also be medicinal. From the results, the best of the forages, viewed from the performance perspective, appears to be Ficus thoningi, which suggests that it may have supplied adequate nutrients that may be lacking in grassland pastures in the dry season, it is therefore recommended for  feeding of growing rabbits. Keywords: wild forages, rabbits, performance characteristics

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

Effect of Concentrate Feed Supplementation Regime on the Growth Performance and Economics of Production of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

A feeding trial was conducted with Twenty (20) weaner grasscutters to investigate the effect of concentrate supplement when fed elephant grass as a basal diet. Weaner grasscutters used were randomly assigned to groups of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in which concentrate was supplemented at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9% of their weekly live weight, respectively. There were four grasscutters per treatment. Results of the experiment showed that, grass crude protein, crude fibre and Metabolizable energy were; 9.25%, 31.00% and 2187.17 kcal/kg, respectively while concentrate had; 17.85% CP, 5.07% CF and 2720.92 ME kcal/kg, respectively. The grasscutters were fed grass and given water ad-libitum for the twenty week experimental duration during which their performance and economic analysis were evaluated. Experimental diets promoted growth parameters measured with the best at 5% but depressed at 9% level. Average daily feed intake had a range of 92.98-148.76 g while average final weight range was 1392.50-2335 g. The economy analysis showed that, the estimated net revenue was the highest at 5% ¦ 1579.23 and lowest at 1% ¦ 674.52. It can be concluded that, elephant grass can be supplemented with 5% concentrate feeding regime in the feeding of grasscutter and not excess of it.Keywords: Grasscutter, Growth Performance, Concentrate, Elephant grass, Economic productio