Carcass Traits and Relative Organ Weights of Growing Rabbits fed Graded Levels of Processed Kola nut (Cola nitida) Pod Husks

Résumé

Carcass traits and relative organ weights of growing rabbits fed graded levels of processed (ash treated and rumen liquor fermented) kola nut (Cola nitida) pod husks (PKPH) were investigated. One hundred and twenty (120) rabbits were randomly allotted to four (4) dietary treatments at 0, 10, 20, and 30 % inclusion levels and designated as diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Each treatment group was replicated ten (10) times with three (3) rabbits representing a replicate and was fed ad-libitum for 56 days. Highest slaughter weight (1813.80 g/r), dressing weight (1068.70 g/r) and dressing percentage (58.54 %) recorded in rabbits fed diet 3 (20% PKPH) were similar to those fed the control diet (0 % PKPH) and diet 2 (10% PKPH) but was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed diet 4 (30 % PKPH). The lungs, liver, kidney, heart, and spleen of the rabbits fed dietary treatments showed no significant effect.