ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to investigate the proximate, vitamin and mineral composition of earthworm (Hyperiodrilus euryaulos) cultured in different animal dung media. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used and the experiment lasted for ten weeks. The different animal dung's used were Rabbit, Poultry, Pig and Goat which was incorporated into garden soil and sterilized using heat, to eliminate bias. The earthworms were introduced into this different animal dung's at the weight of 0.5-1.0g and 1kg of diet was formulated using maize offal, wheat offal and PKC in a proportion of 0.35kg, 0.30kg and 0.35kg respectively and the feed was sprinkled on each of the soil excreta. These animal dung's were designated as T1, T2, T3and T4, representing Rabbit, Poultry, Pig and Goat, respectively. Data were collected at the end of the experiment for proximate, vitamin and mineral composition. Analysis of variance test (ANOVA) was carried out on the data using SPSS Statistical Software Package. The result of the study revealed significant differences in percentage dry matter, ash, crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract, Metabolizable energy but showed no significant difference in ether extract. The research revealed that the crude protein percent of the earthworm cultured in goat dung's (38.49) perform best followed by rabbit dung's (T1 28.72). The mineral composition (sodium) of those cultured in poultry droppings (126.52) performed best followed by goat (93.73), pig (86.40) and rabbit dung's (86.60) The vitamin (vitamin A) of those cultured in poultry 2.10) performed best followed by rabbit (1.74), pig (1.36) and goat (1.30) respectively.