Utilization Of Sundried, Fermented And Ensiled Cassava Peel Meal- Based Diets By Weaner Rabbits.

ABSTRACT

Twenty four New Zealand X Chinchila weaner bucks aged between 7-8 weeks and averaging 0.9kg in weight were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 (six)animals per group. Four experimental diets were randomly assigned to the four treatment groups The diets were a control A — a normal weaner ration compounded from: maize, maize offal, soyabean, blood meal, oyster shell, bone meal and vitamin premix; and B.C. and D in which 10% of maize was replaced by sundried, ensued and fermented cassava peels. The protein (%) and energy (Kcal DE) contents of the diets were 16:18, 2.96; 16.10, 2.89; 16.20, 2:87 and 16.08, 2.90; for diets A,B,C and D respectively. Average daily feed intake, average daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics were evaluated. Results indicated that dietary treatment did n&t influence (P>0.05) average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain among experimental animals. Also feed conversion ratio was not affected by dietary regime (P>0.05). Carcass characteristics were however similar among treatment groups apart from the significant (P<0.05) values recorded for dressed and stomach weights.