EVALUATION OF BREWERS’ SORGHUM RESIDUE FOR GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN RABBITS » Download Project Topics

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.

EVALUATION OF BREWERS’ SORGHUM RESIDUE FOR GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN RABBITS