ECONOMY OF PRODUCTION OF RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF MILLET OFFAL DIETS AS REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in Dagwom Farm at the rabbitry unit of National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State Nigeria. Therefore, this research determine the Economy of Production of Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Millet Offal Diets with Groundnut Haulms as Replacement for Wheat Offal. A total of 60 cross bred weaner rabbits were purchased from reputable rabbit farmers which was used in 8 weeks feeding trial. In this experiment, five iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated to meet 16% crude protein nutritional requirements of the weaner rabbits and similar levels of crude fibre by replacing wheat offal with graded levels of millet offal at 25, 50, 75, and 100% respectively. Economics of production analysis was calculated. The total feed intake values varied between (4.00 – 4.57kg) were not significant (p>0.05) across dietary treatments groups. The total feed cost was highest (N403.43) on diet 1 and lowest value (N385.32) on diet. Feed cost per kilogram had the lowest feed cost value (N330.81/kg) obtained on control diet 1 and highest (N386.79/kg) were significant (p<0.05) across treatments means. Cost saving (N) values had the highest value (N-55.98)
on diet 3 and lowest value (N-5.51) on diet 4 were significant (p<0.05) across dietary treatments means. Percentage cost saving values had the best value (N-16.92) on diet 3 and lowest value (N6.14) on diet 2 were influenced significantly (p<0.05) across dietary treatments means. In conclusion, the inclusion of millet offal was best at 75 -100% had the least cost and higher saving cost.