EVALUATION OF BREWERS' SORGHUM RESIDUE FOR GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN RABBITS
EVALUATION OF BREWERS' SORGHUM RESIDUE FOR GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN RABBITS
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Date
1997-06
Authors
MEDINAT, ELIZABETH PRAISE ABDULMALIK
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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the feeding
value of brewers' sorghum residue (BSR) in rabbit diets. The
chemical composition of brewers' sorghum residue used in these
experiments was also determined.
In Experiment 1, weaned rabbits of about six weeks old
with an average initial weight of 617g, were fed diets
containing 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% BSR while in experiment 2,
breeding does of average initial weight of 1945kg, were fed
diets containing 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% BSR. The diets in
each study were iso-nitrogenous but not isocaloric. At the
end of the six weeks weaner trial, carcass parameters were
measured. A digestibility trial was also carried out to
measure the nutrient digestibility coefficients of the diets.
The result of the chemical analysis showed that BSR
contained, on dry matter basis, 30.16% crude protein, 11.82%
ether extract, 12.93% crude fibre and 2.51% ash. The contents
of calcium, phosphorus and soluble tannins were 0.14%, 0.43%
and 6.02% respectively. The gross energy content was found to
be 4.92kcal/g.
The results obtained from the study with the weaner
rabbits showed significant (P<0.05) effects of treatments on
daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio,
feed cost per kilogram and feed cost per kilogram live weight
gain. Weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) at 20%
BSR level when compared with the control but reduced
significantly (P<0.05) at higher levels of inclusion. Feed
intake decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the level of BSR
increased in the diet. Feed conversion ratio also became
significantly (P<0.05) poorer at higher levels of BSR begining
from the 30% level of BSR inclusion. Increase in dietary
level of BSR significantly (P<0.05) lowered feed cost/kg.
Feed cost/kg live weight gain reduced significantly (P<0.05)
up to 20% BSR level then increased thereafter. Mortality was
not significantly (P>0.05) affected by dietary treatments.
Dressing percentage, gut length and abdominal fat content
significantly decreased (P<0.05) while gut plus caecum weight
increased as dietary BSR level increased when compared with
the control. There were however no significant (P>0.05)
effects of treatment on liver and edible organ weights (liver,
heart, kidney) . The digestibilities of DM, CP, CF, EE, and
ash were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by increase in
the levels of BSR in the diet.
The results of the study with breeding does showed no
significant (P>0.05) effect of treatment on gestation length,
litter size at birth, litter birth weight, average birth
weight and feed cost/kg of the feed. Feed intake
significantly (P<0.05) reduced as level of BSR increased in
the diet. Gestation weight gains increased significantly
(P<0.05) with increasing BSR levels up to 15% after which it
decreased.
The results of these studies suggest that brewers'
sorghum residue can be economically fed in rabbit diets at
levels up to 20% and 15% for weaners and breeding does
respectively. These levels increased weight gain, reduced
cost of feeds, maximized profit and gave no detrimental
effects on performance.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU BELLO
UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE
DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE.
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE.
JUNE, 1997
Keywords
EVALUATION,, BREWERS',, SORGHUM,, RESIDUE,, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION,, RABBITS