WASTE DISPOSAL BY FEEDING RUMEN INGESTA TO RABBITS AND SENSORY EVALUATION OF MEAT FROM THE RUMEN INGESTA-FED RABBITS
WASTE DISPOSAL BY FEEDING RUMEN INGESTA TO RABBITS AND SENSORY EVALUATION OF MEAT FROM THE RUMEN INGESTA-FED RABBITS
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Date
1994
Authors
SUNDAY, CHIWUIKE EGEGE
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Abstract
Rumen ingesta (RI), 40% Rumen ingesta + 60% Poultry growers mash
(RIGM) and Poultry growers mash (GM) were fed daily for 49 days
to three groups of weaned cross-bred rabbits as a means of waste
disposal. Protein levels were 17.5%, 18.0% and 19.1% for RI ,
RIGM and GM respectively; fat levels were 4.2%, 3.0% and 1.4%
while fibre contents were 27.2%, 22.4% and 17.7% for RI, RIGM
and GM respectively. All the rabbits fed on RI died within
three weeks of feeding. There was a significant difference in
feed consumption for rabbits fed on RIGM and those fed on GM
(P< 0.05). Feeding on RIGM gave a significantly lower weight
gain ( 10.6g/day) than those fed on GM (16.8g/day) (P<0.05).
Meat from both feeding regimes were evaluated organoleptically on
a ten point Hedonic scale by an eight-member sensory panel. Meat
from feeding GM was judged slightly better (7.8, Good) than meat
from feeding RIGM (6.9, Very fairly good). Feeding regime significantly
affected relative organ weights. Mean dressing percentages
were 68.0% (RIGM) and 69.8% (GM). Water, fat and
protein contents were significantly different for meat from the
two feeding regimes (P<0.05) with meat from rabbits fed on RIGM
having lower values. Citrobacter diversus was cultured from
rumen ingesta, intestinal and bile samples.
This study demonstrates that rumen ingesta may be successfully
fed to weaned rabbits at 40% level of supplementation thus
helping to rid the abattoirs of such wastes to reduce associated
environmental health hazards.
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Keywords
WASTE DISPOSAL,, FEEDING,, RUMEN INGESTA,, RABBITS,, SENSORY,, EVALUATION,, MEAT,, NGESTA-FED