GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND COST OF FEEDING WEANED RABBITS (Oryctolagus cuniculus) GRADED LEVELS OF OVEN DRIED POULTRY DROPPINGS DIET

Abstract

Thirty six weaned composite rabbits aged 5 -6 weeks were used to investigate the growth performance and cost of feeding rabbits graded levels of poultry droppings. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with three replicates and three rabbits per replicate in the ratio of 2;1 (2 females and I male) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) In the feeding trial, oven dried poultry droppings meal were incorporated at 0, 20, 40 and 60% levels of inclusion to replace ground nut and designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4. Results obtained for growth performance showed no significant (P>0.05) differences across the treatment groups. However highest average feed intake was recorded in T2(40 %) inclusion level 473.60 g and the lowest in T3 (40 %) of 458.80 g. The result of cost of feeding revealed that as the inclusion level of oven dried poultry increase the cost of feeding rabbits reduces and that goes down to decrease cost rabbit production. The trial revealed that oven dry poultry dropping can be used at 40 % level of inclusion in the rabbit diet without posing any threat to the animal.