DIETARY EFFECTS OF VARRYING LEVELS OF SAWDUST AS REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS

Abstract

This study evaluated the dietary effects of varying levels of sawdust as replacement for wheat offal on growth performance of weaner rabbits. A total of twenty-four (24) cross-bred weaner rabbits of weight range of 679-723g were allocated to four dietary treatment groups with six animals per treatment on weight equalization basis. The four dietary treatment groups were four inclusion levels of sawdust (0, 10, 20 and 30%). Data were collected on weekly basis for 10 weeks. The study was conducted for a period of 70 days. feed intake, average feed intake, body weight gain, average bodyw eight gain, feed conversion ratio were determined. Data were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance and the mean values were separated at 5% probability. Results showed that There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in all the parameters measured across the dietary treatments. However, the final weight decreased numerically across the treatment with increase level of sawdust inclusion. This study concluded that sawdust can replace wheat offal up to 30% without deleterious effect on growth performance of weaner rabbits.