Blood Biochemical Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Weaner Rabbits Fed Varying Inclusion Levels of Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.) Forage

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying inclusion levels of Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) forage on haematological, blood biochemical and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. A total of 20 male rabbits of mixed breeds with an average initial weight of 450g were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments containing varying inclusion levels of gamba grass forage (0, 5, 10 and 15%). There were four rabbits per treatment, each serving as a replicate in a completely randomized design. Blood samples were collected at the end of eight (8) week feeding period before the carcass analysis.. Results indicated that there were significant (P<0.05) increasing trend in the haematological and blood biochemical parameters measured. There were 51% and 55% increases (P<0.05) in total protein (8.53 vs. 5.65g/dl) and calcium ions (2.65 vs. 1.18mmol/dl) in rabbits fed diet containing 15% inclusion level of gamba grass forage compared to the control. However, there were 10% and 17% decreases (P<0.05) in white blood cells (4.92 vs. 4.43%) and alkaline phosphate (89.33 vs. 76.33IU/dl) in rabbits fed the control diet than those fed diet containing 15% inclusion level of gamba grass. Also, there were 13% and 49% increase (P<0.05) in dressing percentage (54.80 vs. 48.60%) and weight of thigh (16.95 vs. 11.35%) in rabbits fed diet containing 15% inclusion level of gamba grass forage compared to the control. However, length of small intestine and weights of heart, head, stomach and small intestines were similar (P>0.05) across the treatments, respectively. It was concluded that gamba grass forage can be included up to 15% in the diet of weaner rabbits, without adverse effect on haematological, biochemical profile and carcass characteristics of the rabbits in Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) forage can be included in the diets of weaner rabbits to reduce cost of production.Keywords: Blood, competition, carcass, feed, gamba, Nigeria, rabbi

Productivity of irrigated gamba grass (Andropogon Gayanus Kunth) as influenced by flood irrigation and compost manure levels in zaria.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying levels of irrigation volume, irrigation frequency and compost manure application on growth components, forage yield and chemical composition of Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus).The experimental design was a split- plot with 3×2×2 factorial arrangement, with three replications. There were three levels of irrigation volume (25, 50 and100L), under two irrigation frequencies (3 and 6 days) interval and two levels of compost (25 and 50t/ha), respectively. The result showed that stand count of Gamba grass was significantly affected (P< 0.05) by irrigation volume (335vs.243). Other growth components were significantly similar (P>0.05) in all the parameters measured. There was 8.2% significant increase (P< 0.05) in number of stands at 3days irrigation interval compared to that of 6 days. Compost levels applied had no significant effect (P>0.05) on number of stand and growth components in all the harvesting periods. The dry and fresh forage yields were significantly similar (P> 0.05) in all parameters measured. There were also no significant differences (P> 0.05) in all the interactions, except the values obtained from compost levels and age of maturity of gamba grass (P< 0.05) at different harvesting periods. The number of leaves at four weeks differed significantly (P< 0.05). Irrigation volume of 25L/day had the least (P<0.05) number of leaves (24) than other levels. However, all other parameters were not significant (P> 0.05). Interaction at 4 and 8 weeks were not significantly different (P>0.05) for plant height, except in the number of leaves at 12 weeks of age (P<0.05). It was therefore concluded that irrigation volume, frequency and levels of compost manure applied had effect on the productivity of gamba grass in Zaria, Nigeria. It is there recommended that, farmers could apply up to 100 liters of water per day to gamba grass at an irrigation interval of 3days and 25kg/ha of compost manure for better agronomic productivity of gamba grass in Zaria, NigeriaKey words: Compost manure, gamba, irrigation, productivity, yield and qualit