Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: January-March | Volume: 3 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 33-38
Effects of Feeding of Graded Levels of Soaked Faidherbia albida Pod Meal to Weaner Rabbits in the Guinea Savanna Zone of Adamawa State
Isa Ibrahim Shehu1, Bobboi Yakubu2, Nyako H.D2
1School of Vocational Education, Department of Agricultural Science Education, FCE (T) Potiskum, Yobe State- Nigeria
2Department of Animal Production and Management, Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, Adamawa State- Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Isa Ibrahim Shehu
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the effect of utilizing varying levels of soaked Faidherbia albida pod meal in performance, carcass, hematology and nutrient digestively of weaner rabbits. Five diets were formulated and graded with soaked f. albida pod meal at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20% levels designated as T1 T2 T3 T4 and T5 respectively. A total of forty wearer rabbits were fed the diets in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted 8 weeks. The diets, fecal samples and blood were analyzed for proximate composition. The result of growth performance indicated that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the find weight (fw) (1337.00-1420.00g), weight gained (wg) (672.50-815.00g) average daily weight gained (ADWG) (12.00-14.55g). Total feed intake (TFI) (2412.0-2813.00g), average daily feed intake (ADFI) (43.07-50.23g) and feed conversion ratio FCR (2.95-4.01). The result on carcass parameter also showed significant (P<0.05) difference in live weight, slaughter weight, dressed weight, and cercal weight. Hematological and Biochemical component showed significant differences (P<0.05) in mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, globulin and urea. While most of the parameters measured in nutrient digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) different from each other, the feed comerson ratio was found to be better for rabbits fed 15% soaked F. albida pod meal (2.95). Based on this study, soaked F. albida pod meal can be supplemented in weaner rabbits diet up to 15% without any depression in growth, nutrient digestibility and at a very cheap cost.
Keywords: Feeding, Graded Levels, Pod Meal, Weaner Rabbits and Guinea Savanna