EFFECTS OF REPLACING MAIZE WITH PROCESSED MANGO SEED KERNEL MEAL ON PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENTS DIGESTIBILITY AND ECONOMIC OF  PRODUCTION 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.5751

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.5751

Keywords:

Mango seed kernel, Maize, Digestibility, Economic of production, Weaner rabbits

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of replacing maize with processed mango seed kernel meal (PMSKM) in the diets of weaner rabbit on performance, nutrient digestibility and economic of production. 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. All the digestibility parameters analyzed were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the graded level of inclusion of the PMSKM. The lowest feed cost per kg weight gain was recorded in rabbits fed die 3(40%). Similarly, the rabbits fed diet 3 (40%) showed higher/better cost saving of N22.34. It was therefore concluded that processed mango seed kernel meal can replace maize at 40% level in the diet of weaner rabbit with better performance and tremendous reduction in feed cost.