Research
Growth Performance, Haematology And Blood Serum Chemistry Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Parboiled- Sundried False Yam (Icacina Trichantha) Meal At Varying Replacement Level For Maize.
A seven-week feeding trial was conducted at the Rabbitary Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma to evaluate the growth performance, hematology and serum biochemistry of 15 unsexed weaner rabbits fed varying levels of Parboiled sundried false yam (Icacina tricantha) meal. Five treatments were formulated with diet one containing 100% maize as control, while in diet two, three, four and five parboiled sundried false yam meal replaced the percentage proportion of maize in diet one at 25, 50, 75 and 100% inclusion level respectively. Each rabbit was randomly assigned to the five treatment diets in a complete randomized designed (CRD) each treatment group contained three replicates with one rabbits each. Performance characteristics revealed that final live weight and weekly feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) influenced with the highest value (2.01kg/rabbit and 398g/rabbit) recorded from rabbits fed 25% PSFYM. Weekly weight gain was also significantly (P<0.05) influenced with the highest (194.67g/rabbit) from those fed 25% PSFYM. Feed conversion was lowest (1.36) from rabbits fed 25% PSFYM while lowest mortality rate of (3.34%) was recorded from rabbits fed 25% PSFYM. All the hematological indices assayed in this study showed a significant (P<0.05) variation among rabbits fed the treatment diets with highest values recorded among those fed 75% PSFYM. Serological studies showed significant variation in all the parameters assayed with highest values recorded among those fed 75% PSFYM. It is concluded that parboiled sundried false yam meal is a valuable replacement for maize up to 25% for optimum growth performance while 75% replacement can be tolerated in rabbit diets without adverse effects on the blood metabolites.
Effects of Replacing Groundnut Meal with Cotton Seed Meal or Palm Kernel Meal on the Performance, Blood Metabolite and Cost on Return of Finishing Cockerels.
Three hundred day-old black Harco cockerel chicks were started on a standard fish meal diet containing 2.65 Kcal/g ME at 21% crude protein for the first four weeks. At the end of which one hundred and forty of the birds were allocated to another diet of 2.65 Kcal/g ME at same 21% protein but without fish meal. The remaining 160 birds were maintain alongside on a fish meal diet containing 2.65Kcal/g ME and 21% protein till they were eight weeks old. At the finisher phase the two set of birds were assigned to eight experimental rations in a 4x2 factorial design; differently maintained. The diets were a control which contain fish meal and groundnut meal (GNM) as the major protein source. The next had only GNM as the major protein source. In the next consecutive diets, one-third, two-third and all of the GNM protein contribution was replaced by corresponding protein value of cotton seed meal (CSM) and palm Kernel meal (PKM). The feed consumption figures of cockerels fed CSM or PKM were similar with no significant difference (P>0.05) recorded among dietary treatments; although birds previously on fish meal formulated diet tend to consume more. A 66.6% replacement of GNM with either CSM or PKM gave better overall performance (P<0.05) in terms of weight gain and efficiency of feed conversion. There was no detectable difference (P>0.05) in serum total protein and uric acid between birds fed varying levels of CSM or PKM. Serum cholesterol decreased (P<0.05) with increasing levels of CSM; and for PKM up to 66.6% replacement level (P>0.05). A 66.6% partial replacement of GNM with either CSM or PKM gave highest income to feed cost (P<0.05). For cockerel finisher from an all-plant protein formulation, 66.6% either of CSM or PKM replacement of GNM will be ideal.
