EFFECTS OF REPLACING MAIZE WITH PROCESSED MANGO SEED KERNEL MEAL ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF WEANER  RABBITS

U. S.  Shuaibu; K. M. Bello; Y. P. Mancha; S. S. Jatutu; B. Shuaibu; M. S. Muazu

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.5234

Authors

U. S. Shuaibu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi,
K. M. Bello Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi,
Y. P. Mancha Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi,
S. S. Jatutu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi,
B. Shuaibu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi,
M. S. Muazu Bauchi State Collage of Agriculture, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.5234

Keywords:

Mango seed kernel, Maize, Performance, Carcass characteristics, Weaner rabbits

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with processed mango seed kernel meal (PMSKM) in the diets of weaner rabbit on performance and carcass characteristics. A total of thirty two (32) mongrel rabbits (8 rabbits per treatment, 2 per replicate) were randomly allotted to four experimental diets in which processed mango seed kernel meal replaced maize at 0, 20, 40 and 60% level designed as diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. The result showed that the Average initial weight (500.00-518.75), average final weight (1393.75-1412.50), average daily feed intake (52.98 55.05), average daily weight gain (15.74-16.19) and feed conversion ratio (3.29-3.48) obtained were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary levels of processed mango seed kernel meal. Most of the carcass traits showed no significant difference (P<0.05) among the treatment except for carcass weight, dressing %, Intestine and loin weight. Diet 2, 3 and 4 (20, 40 and 60% PMSKM) gave highest values for carcass weight, dressing% and intestine while also diet 1, 2 and 3 (0, 20 and 40%) gave higher value for loin weight. It was therefore concluded that processed mango seed kernel meal can replace maize at 60% level in the diet of weaner rabbit as an energy source without any negative effect on their performance and carcass parameters.