Evaluation of Four Brands of Commercial Growers Mash on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Rabbits in the Semi-Arid Region of Nigeria

Abstract

A study was carried out with twenty eight rabbits of mixed sexes (Dutch x New Zealand White) to evaluate the effect of four brands of commercial growers mash on growth performance and carcass characteristics. They were divided into four (4) treatments and each treatment contain seven (7) replicates and were subjected to Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The growers mash were designated as Hybrid feed (T1), Vital feed (T2), Top feed (T3) and Livestock feed T4. There were significant (p<0.05) difference among all the parameters measured for growth performance except initial weight which was not significantly (p>0.05) different. The rabbit fed with diet T4 has the highest final weight and daily weight gain compared to those fed T1 and T3but similar to those fed T2 diet Rabbits fed T1diet had the poorest feed conversion ratio compared to others diets. The dressed weight, shoulder, slaughter weight, caecum, body length, thighs, rack, loin and kidney were significant (p<0.05) different across the treatment groups. It could be from this finding that the use of T2 and T4can support better growth and carcass production than other diets in Semi-Arid region of Nigeria.