NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEANER RABBITS FED DIFFERENTLY PROCESSED DELONIX REGIA (FLAMBOYANT) SEED MEAL

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the nutrient digestiblity of mix-bred rabbits to diets containing differently processed Delonix regia seed meal (DRSM). Processed forms of Delonix regia seeds were; fermentation, boiling and toasting and their proximate composition were determined. Thirty-two (32) matured rabbits comprising of 16 Bucks and 16 Does of six to seven months of age with average weight of 1,460±0.02 procured from reputable farms in Akwa Ibom State were divided into four treatment groups with eight replicate each and alloted to four (4) dietary treatments. The Delonix regia seed meal were included at 0, 15, 15 and 15% untreated, fermented, boiled and toasted in diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The study lasted for 12 weeks. All data collected in the course of the experiment were statistically analyzed using one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and Duncan's new multiple range test, was used for mean separation. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in Proximate Composition and Nutrient Digestibility
parameters measured across dietary treatments with respect to Moisture, Ash, Crude fibre, Ether Extract, Crude protein, Dry Matter and NFE. The study revealed that inclusion level of Toasted Delonix regia seed meal (TDRSM) at 15% brought about a positive result in terms of nutrient utilization of rabbits. It was recommended that Delonix regia seed meal should be toasted before it is included in diets meant for rabbits.