DIETARY REPLACEMENT OF YELLOW MAIZE WITH GRADED LEVELS OF RED SORGHUM WITH OR WITHOUT ENZYME (ENZYBLEND®) ON THE NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY, VISCERAL ORGAN AND CARCASS YIELD OF RABBITS

Abstract

A study lasting 84 days was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Akperan Orshi Polytechnic Yandev, Gboko to determine the nutrient digestibility, visceral organ and carcass yield of replacing yellow maize with red sorghum in rabbit diets with or without enzyme. A total of 54 weaner rabbits of mixed strains and sexes with initial body weight of 690.84-794.83g were assigned to 9 dietary treatments containing 6 rabbits per treatment with 1 rabbit per replicate in a completely randomized design of 4×2+1 factorial arrangement having two levels of enzyblend supplementation (with & without). Dietary treatments included: D1: 0 %, D2 :25 %, D3: 50 %, D4 :75 % D5: 100 % red sorghum replacement. The results showed that, increase in the replacement level of sorghum had significant (p<0.05) higher effects on the apparent digestibility. Carcass characteristics showed no significant (P>0.05) difference on % dressed weight and carcass cut except % head which had differed significantly (P>0.05) higher on rabbit fed control. All parameters on internal organs weight showed no significant (P>0.05) difference except kidney fat and oesophagus which had significantly (P<0.05) higher on rabbit fed 100 (2.14 and 0.14 %), The study therefore recommends 100 % sorghum inclusion level to farmers for improved percentage carcass yield and internal organs in rabbit production.