Authors : A.O. Oso , A.M. Bamgbose , O.A. Isah , J.E.N. Olatunji , A.T. Mabadeje , A.A. Alade and A.O. Oni
Abstract: Sixteen weaner rabbits of six weeks old, mixed breeds were fed Rice Milling waste based diets at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels (replacing maize), respectively. This was done for a period of thirty-five days. The weight gain, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios of rabbits fed 0% level and 25% level were significantly higher than those of rabbits fed 50 and 75% levels of the experimental diet. 0% and 25% levels do not have any significant difference between them. No mortality was recorded and also no physiological changes were observed throughout the thirty-five days of experiment. The nitrogen retention and crude fibre digestibility of diets fed 0% RMW and 25%RMW were significantly (p<0.05) the same and higher than others. Basically, from the performance data, there were no significance differences between the control diet 0% (RMW) and 25% (RMW) when compared, but there were significant differences when compared with diet 3 (50% RMW) and diet 4 (75% RMW), with diet 4 having the least performance. In terms of costing, diet 4 (75%) was the cheapest, but the least performance, while that of diet 2 (25% RMW) had a better performance and at a reduced cost. It can be concluded that RMW can conveniently be included in a weaner ration at 25% level of inclusion (replacing maize) without any adverse effect.
A.O. Oso , A.M. Bamgbose , O.A. Isah , J.E.N. Olatunji , A.T. Mabadeje , A.A. Alade and A.O. Oni , 2006. Performance of Weaner Rabbits Fed Rice Milling Waste Based Diets. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 836-838.