GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF MILLET OFFAL DIETS AS REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL

Résumé

The aim of this study was to determine the growth performance of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of millet offal diets with groundnut haulms as replacement for wheat offal. A total of 60 weaner rabbits aged 5- 6 comprising New Zealand white, Californian white, Dutch Belted, American checkered, Chinchilla and English Spotted of both sexes were purchased from reputable rabbit farmers in Vom Jos South where used in 8 weeks feeding trial. In this experiment, five iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated to meet 16% crude protein nutritional requirements of the weaner rabbits and similar
levels of crude fibre by replacing wheat offal with graded levels of millet offal respectively in which groundnut haulms constituted 20% of each diet. The diets were designated 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Diet 1 contained wheat offal which served as the control (0%) while treatments (2-5) contained millet offal at graded levels of 25, 50, 75, and 100%, respectively. Data on daily Feed intake was determined, weight gains, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Mortality records were kept when they occurred throughout the experimental period. There were no significant differences in all parameters measured. Conclusion, the inclusion of millet offal was best at 75 -100% with improved the growth performance of rabbits without any deleterious effect.