Response of Weaner Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Sweet Potato Meal in Place of Maize-Based Diet

Abstract

Performance of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of sweet potato peel meal in place of maize-based diet was investigated. 24 weaner rabbits aged between 5-7 weeks and of equal live weight were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments. Each treatment having 3 replicates of 2 rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet 1 was maize based, which served as control and the test feedstuff (sweet potato peels) quantitatively replaced 5 (11.11%) 10 (22.22%) and 15 (33.33%) of maize meal in diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Each diet was offered ad libitum for a period of 56 days. The proximate composition of the test ingredient is as follows: Dry matter - 89.74%, Crude protein 6.34%, Ether extract 1.37% C.F 0.36%, Ash 4.58%, NFE 87.42 and Gross energy 3.214. The anti nutritional factors of the test ingredient are as follows: Saponin 0.67%, Oxalate 1.08%, Tannin 0.22% phytate 0.74% and Trypsin inhibitor 0.00. There was significant (P<0.05) difference for growth parameters considered among the diets. Diet 2 had the highest weight gain of 10.4267 as against 8.8367, 9.5300 and 8.2700 for diets 1, 3 and 4 respectively, and the least feed conversion ratio of 7.4733 as opposed to 8.8100, 9.0467 and 10.9867 for diets 1, 3 and 4 respectively. There were significant (P<0.05) differences for the values obtained for cut parts. The result favoured diets 1 and 2 when compared to others. However, diet 2 had the highest values for the prime parts (thigh, drumstick, shoulder, breast cut and back cut). The values of the organs showed significant (P<0.05) difference with the exception of lung and spleen. For haematological and serum chemistry (Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophil, eosine, MCV, MCHC, MCH, creatinine and alkaline phosphates), values obtained fall within the normal range of haematological and biochemical indices for rabbits. For gross margin, diet 2 had the highest value (N227.4600) when compared with the control diet (N147.5800), diet 3 (N178.4500) and diet 4 (N174.1000) making diet 2 a choice diet. Judging from growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights, haematological and biochemical values and economics of the diets, diet 2 is recommended.