Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Rabbits Fed Diets Containing Sweet Potato Tubermeal Supplemented with Centrosema Pubenscens Leaves
Abstract
The study was carried out to determine the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing rabbits fed diets containing waste sweet potato tuber meal supplemented with Centrosema pubenscens leaves. Sun-dried sweet potato waste tuber meal supplemented with Centrosema pubenscens leaves were used at various levels of 0%, 15%, 20% and 25% to determine the best replacement that would give optimum performance of growing rabbits. 16 growing rabbits of 3 months (12 weeks) of age were used for this experiment. They were divided into four treatment groups of 4 rabbits each. Each treatment was subdivided into two replicates of two rabbits each. Each replicate was housed in a cage. Each group was randomly assigned to experimental diet in a completely randomized design (CRD). Parameters measured were initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, Feed conversion ratio (FCR), daily body weight gain, cost of production, internal organ weight, cut parts weight, dressed weight and percent dressed weight. Data collected were analyzed using one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA). In terms of daily feed intake, TMT 4 had the highest feed intake of 91.66g while TMT 3 had the lowest feed intake of (64.66g). The growing rabbits on TMT 4 (25% PWM) recorded significantly (P< 0.05) higher body weight gain than the other TMT groups while those in TMT 2 and TMT 3 recorded significantly low body weight gain. The growing rabbit in TMT 4 recorded the best feed conversion ratio of 4.45 which was significantly (P<0.05) better than the control TMT 2 and TMT 3 respectively. The significantly better feed conversion ratio for the rabbits in TMT 4 may be attributed to higher feed intake and high body weight gain of the rabbits. The values obtained for visceral organs (internal organs) varied (P < 0.05) with sweet potato waste meal supplemented with Centrosema pubenscens leaves inclusion in their diets. TMT 2 and TMT 1 (control) have the highest percent liver which was significantly (P <0.05) higher than other TMT groups. TMT 4 recorded the lowest kidney percent. However, heart, lungs and spleen of the growing rabbits did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05). The results of cut parts and organs obtained did not follow a definite pattern that can be attributed to treatment effects. This showed that the supplementation of sweet potato waste meal with Centrosema pubenscens leaves did not affect the development of certain body organs. The result of the carcass characteristics showed that the evaluated were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. The live weights and eviscerated weight were highest in rabbits fed with 25% sweet potato waste meal supplemented with Centrosema pubenscens leaves. The cost/kg diet showed that the cheapest diet was diet 4 (N212.48) while the costliest was the control diet (Diet 1). In terms of cost of production, the lowest cost was TMT 4 (25%SPTM) (N886.04) while the costliest was TMT 1 (control) (N3,471.44). The result of the study showed that sweet potato waste meal supplemented with Centrosema pubenscens leaves could be used up to 25% in the diets of growing rabbits without affecting body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio.
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Introduction
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) descended from wild rabbits found in the Mediterranean Countries and was introduced into England in the late Eleventh to early Twelfth Century. The Nigerian wild hares which are mostly grayish brown in colour are still very common. The prolific nature of rabbits coupled with its short gestation period and generation interval, makes it the animal of choice for multiplication and a short way of increasing animal protein intake (Uchewa, Orogwu, & Nwakpu, 2014). Domestic rabbits are ubiquitous, providing protein, fibre, research models, and companionship.
Rabbit production presents a promising avenue for food security and income generation in developing countries, particularly due to its low capital requirement, rapid reproduction, and efficient feed conversion. However, feed cost often contributes significantly to rabbit production expenses, especially when relying on conventional commercial feed. Exploring readily available and cheaper alternative feed sources is crucial for sustainable and profitable rabbit farming (Akinmutimi, & Osuagwu, 2008).
The utilization of alternative feed resources for livestock production has gained significant attention due to the increasing demand for animal products and the need for sustainable agricultural practices. In rabbit husbandry, the quest for cost-effective and nutritionally balanced feed sources has led to the exploration of unconventional ingredients such as waste potato tuber meal supplemented with plant materials like Centrocema pubens.
Conclusion
The result of the study showed that sun-drying of sweet potato waste tuber meal (Ipomea batatas) was not effective for removing the anti-nutrients in the dried samples. Sundried potato waste meal supplemented with Centrosema pubenscens leaves could be used up to 25% in the diet of growing rabbits without affecting body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Based on the result of the study it was therefore recommended that sundried potato waste tuber meal supplemented with Centrocema pubenscens leaf meal could be used up to 25% in the diet of growing rabbits for optimum performance.
