Effects of Varying Levels of Sun Dried Yam Peel Meal on the Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Economic Efficiency of Weaner Rabbits

Abstract

Twenty weaner rabbits of mixed sexes with an average initial weight of 0.62kg were used to determine the effect of varying level of sun-dried yam peel meal (YPM) as a source of fibre on their growth performance, carcass characteristics and economics of production. The rabbits were randomly allotted to five diets formulated with sun dried yam peel meal (YPM) replacing wheat offal (WO) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% level of inclusion. The final live weight of rabbits were significantly higher (p<0.01) in diet 2 (25% YPM), the feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency compare favourably among the dietary treatments. There was significant difference (p<0.05) with higher daily feed intake on diets 1 and 2 value compared to others. Weight of organ expressed as a percentage of live weight did not show any significant difference between the treatment means accepts in the carcass weight which shows a highly significant difference (p<0.01). The cost in Naira per kilogram gain was highest on diet 1 (0% YPM) and lowest on diet 5 (100% YPM). The result indicates that yam peel meal can be used to replace wheat offal at up to 75% in the diet of weaner rabbits with good performance and tremendous reduction in feed cost.