Comparative evaluation of effects of different sources of groundnut meals on digestibility, growth performance and economics of production of growing rabbits

Authors

  • K. T. Orayaga University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
  • P. M. Goholshak National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v41i1.2734

Keywords:

Rabbits, kulikuli (locally made groundnut cake), groundnut cake, toasted groundnut seed, digestibility, performance, economics

Abstract

Three groundnut meals namely: groundnut cake (GNC), locally processed groundnut cake (kulikuli) and toasted groundnut seed(kernel) meal (TGSM) were incorporated in rabbit diets at two levels to generate six diets: 18% GNC, 22% GNC, 18% Kulikuli, 22% Kulikuli, 18% TGSM and 22% TGSM respectively, and 18% GNC also served as the control diet. Twenty four (24) six weeks-old growing rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes with mean initial weight of 568.75±l2.85g were randomly allocated to the six dietary treatment groups, such that each had four rabbits and each rabbit formed a replicate in a completely randomized design laid out in a 2X3 factorial arrangement and fed ad libitum, for 70 days. The main effects showed that while the treatment groups fed TGSM were significantly depressed (p<0.05). rabbits fed GNC and kulikuli were not significantly different (p>0.05) for average daily feed intake, daily body weight gain and final body weight. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not significantly (p >0.05) affected among treatment groups. Rabbits fed TGSM had significantly (p<0.05) better apparent digestibility coefficient (78.04%) than those on kulikuli (75.81%6) and the group on kulikuli were better than animals fed GNC (72.09%) for fat digestibility. Fibre digestibility was also significantly different (p <0.05), with rabbits fed kulikuli having the poorest fibre digestion (15.63 %). Crude protein, dry matter and NFE apparent digestibility coefficients were not significantly (p >0.05) affected. Among all the parameters measured, only fat and fibre digestibility coefficients had significant (p <0.05) interactions and NFE digestibility was significantly affected (p <0.05) by level of inclusion, with groups fed 22% digesting it better. Feed cost kg gain did not differ significantly (p >0.05) among the treatment groups. Growth was still on the rise and there was a significantly (P<0.01) strong relationship (correlation and regression) between feed intake and weight gain for all the treatment groups. was concluded that both kulikuli and TGSM are potential feed resources for rabbits, more available to house hold farmers, equally economical as GNC and better still if groundnut farmers and or processors of kulikuli raise rabbits, though TGSM had less value for growth rate compared to GNC and Kulikuli at these levels of inclusion

Author Biography

K. T. Orayaga, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Department of Animal Nutrition

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Published

2021-01-19

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Section

Articles