CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND PRIMAL CUTS OF WEANER RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF SORGHUM OFFAL DIETS AS REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL

Abstract

This study evaluates the carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of sorghum offal diets as a replacement for wheat offal. A total of five dietary treatments were evaluated, with varying percentages of sorghum offal (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). Five rabbits from each treatment were slaughtered and subjected to live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, and primal cuts such as thigh, loin, shoulder, and back. The results indicated that while live weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage did not show significant differences across the diets (P > 0.05), notable variations were observed in specific primal cuts. The back and neck weights significantly increased in rabbits fed the highest level of sorghum offal (100%), suggesting that higher inclusion levels may enhance certain carcass traits. Overall, the findings show the potential of using sorghum offal as a viable alternative to wheat offal in rabbit diets up to 100% inclusion levels.