Research Article Open Access

Nutrient Digestibility and Carcass Measurement of Growing Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Bovine Blood-Rumen Content Mixture

Authors

G. Mohammed
Department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
|
S.B. Adamu
Department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
|
J.U. Igwebuike
Department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
|
N.K. Alade
Department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
L.G. Asheikh
Department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Published on: September 15, 2013
DOI 10.3923/pjn.2013.929.933
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Abstract

A ten-week trial was conducted to assess the digestibility and carcass component of growing rabbits fed graded levels of Bovine Blood-rumen Content Mixtures (BBRCM). The BBRCM were included at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The BBRCM replaced maize and groundnut cake in the diets. Forty five cross bred rabbits (Dutch x New Zealand white) between 5 and 7 weeks of age were randomly allocated to the 5 dietary treatments in group of 9 and allowed unlimited access to feed and drinking water throughout the experimental period. The dry matter, ether extract and ash were similar (P>0.05) among the treatments while the crude protein, crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract were significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatments. The carcass component and organ weights expressed as percentage of slaughter weight were similar except dressing percentage, shoulder, loin, feet and small intestine which were significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatments. Therefore, diets containing up to 40% BBRCM could be tolerated by growing rabbits without adverse effect on their nutrient digestibility and carcass component.

Keywords:

Carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility

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Mohammed, G., Adamu, S., Igwebuike, J., Alade, N., & Asheikh, L. (2013). Nutrient Digestibility and Carcass Measurement of Growing Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Bovine Blood-Rumen Content Mixture. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 12(10), 929–933. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2013.929.933
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