scholarly journals Apparent nutrient digestibility of broiler starter fed varying levels of processed taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) meal based diet

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.W. Ajetunmobi ◽  
S. A. Eguaoje ◽  
C. A. Adeniji ◽  
M. T. Omesa ◽  
A. Iwegbu
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Deleterious Effect ◽  
Colocasia Esculenta ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Replacement Level ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Poultry Farmers

A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the apparent nutrient digestibility of 120, one-day old broiler starter chicks fed varying levels of Parboiled sundried taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) meal (PSCM). Four treatments were formulated with diet one containing 100% maize as control, while in diet two, three and four parboiled sundried cocoyam meal (PSCM) replaced the percentage proportion of maize in diet one at 50, 75 and 100% inclusion levels respectively. Thirty (30) birds were randomly assigned to the four treatment diets in a complete randomized designed (CRD) and each treatment group contained three replicates with ten (10) birds each. Ground fed feed and voided faecal samples collected after a 4-day feeding in a metabolic cage were analyzed for their respective proximate constituent. Apparent nutrient digestibility revealed that crude fibre was significantly (P<0.05) higher in diet 4 while crude ash was significantly (P<0.05) higher in control. Digestible ether extract and NFE were significantly (P<0.05) higher among birds placed on 50% PSCM. It is therefore concluded that parboiled sundried taro cocoyam meal (PSCM) could replace 50% of maize in broiler starter diet without any deleterious effect. However, substituting maize with parboiled sundried taro cocoyam meal at 50% replacement level improved nutrient digestibility and is hereby recommended for poultry farmers.

EFFECTS OF RAPESEED DOCKAGE CONTENT ON THE FEEDING VALUE OF RAPESEED MEAL FOR SWINE

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 953-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. BELL ◽  
A. SHIRES
Keyword(s):  
Protein Digestibility ◽  
Rapeseed Meal ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Foreign Matter ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Lower Protein ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Available Lysine ◽  
Crushing Plant

Five lots of fine rapeseed screenings were obtained from crushing plants, extracted in a pilot crushing plant, subjected to botanical analysis, and assayed for mycotoxins, protein, ether extract, ash, crude fibre, sand, amino acids, combustible energy and glucosinolates. Each screenings meal was substituted for 4, 8 and 12% of clean Tower rapeseed meal, incorporated into diets, pelleted and fed to swine over a weight range of 23–88 kg. The main finding in the feeding trial was a decline in efficiency of feed utilization as the level of screenings increased. Digestibility trials were conducted on the 12% screenings diets. Two of the screenings lots depressed protein digestibility from 78 to 73% and four of the screenings samples depressed energy digestibility. The lysine content of screenings tended to be lower than for Tower rapeseed meal and this, together with the lower protein digestibility, suggests that available lysine might be adversely affected by the inclusion of screenings in rapeseed meal. It therefore is nutritionally advantageous to ensure that rapeseed is relatively free of foreign matter prior to crushing.

scholarly journals Nutrient Intake and digestibility of Rabbit does fed varying levels of concentrate and lablab during pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-287
Author(s):  
G. T. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor ◽  
A. A. Sekoni ◽  
L. O. Esievo
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Nitrogen Free Extract ◽  
Growth Requirement

Nulliparous crossbred does were used to study the effects of concentrate:lablab ratio (CL) and stage of pregnancy on nutrient intake and digestibility. Treatments consisted of four concentrate and lablab combinations on a gram:gram basis: 20:130, 40: 110, 80:70 and 100:50 and two stages of pregnancy: second and fourth week of pregnancy Concentrate intake increased as level increased up to 80g/day offered while lablab intake increased from 50 to 130g/day offered. Doe weight and metabolic size were similar for all treatments. Total feed intake was not affected by concentrate and lablab levels. Dry matter intake was lower for 100:50 CL than other treatments. Ether extract and crude fibre intakes decreased with increase in concentrate levels. Dry matter and nitrogen free extract digestibility were higher for 80:70 CL than other combinations. Crude fibre digestibility was higher for 80:70 than 40:110 and 100:50 CL Crude protein retention was higher for 80:70 than 20:130 and 100:50 CL. Fetal growth requirement, total protein requirement and balance of protein were high at 80:70 and 100:50 CL. During pregnancy, dry matter and all nutrients intake were higher in the second than fourth week. Ether extract, crude protein and nitrogen free extract digestibilities were lower in the second than fourth week of pregnancy. Fetal growth requirement and balance of protein were higher in the second than fourth week of pregnancy relationship between feed intake (g DM/day) and nutrient digestibility was negative. The relationship between feed intake (g DM/kg body weight/day) and feed intake (g DM/kg LW0.75/day) was however, positive for all the nutrients except crude protein. For the small scale rabbit producer in developing countries, it is feasible to maintain rabbits on combinations of concentrate and lablab during pregnancy

scholarly journals Utilization of Bovine Blood-Rumen Digesta Mixture as Replacement for Soybean Meal and Groundnut Cake Feedstuff in Growing Pigs

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-131
Author(s):  
S. O. Odukoya ◽  
A. A. Saka ◽  
O. Y. Adedeji ◽  
A. O. Akingbade ◽  
T. I. Ijadunola
Keyword(s):  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Bovine Blood ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Groundnut Cake ◽  
Nitrogen Free Extract ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Mixture of bovine blood and rumen digesta (BBRDM) was evaluated for 56 days as a replacement for soybean meal (SBM) and groundnut cake (GNC) at 100% on protein to protein basis in the diets of growing pigs to assess the nutritive value of BBRDM on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and cost benefits. Hence, a total of 18 growing pigs were allotted on weight equalization basis into three dietary treatments consisting of six pigs per treatment in a completely randomized design. Three diets were formulated such that T : served as the control diet without BBRDM but contained both soybean meal and 1 groundnut cake. T : BBRDM replaced soybean meal and T : BBRDM replaced groundnut 2 3 cake. Result indicated that BBRDM contained 28.65% crude protein, 13.17% ether extract, 5.26% crude fibre, 11.29% ash and 31.65% nitrogen free extract. Dietary treatments did not significantly (P>0.05) influenced the growth parameters observed in this study. Although there were no significant (P>0.05) difference on the nutrient digestibility parameters investigated but birds in T recorded highest numerical values for crude protein (77.23), 3 crude fibre (62.46%), ether extract (92.33%), nitrogen free extract (89.61%), ash (70.28%) and nutrient dry matter (91.67%) while the least values were obtained from birds in T . Cost 1 of feed decreased with the inclusion of BBRDM while the cost per weight gain also improved with the replacement of the conventional feed ingredients. The result also showed that an appreciable amount of money was saved when BBRDM was included in the ration of growing pigs. It is therefore concluded that BBRDM could be used as an animal protein source to compliment plant protein source such as soybean meal and groundnut cake in the diet of growing pigs.

scholarly journals Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed diets containing varying inclusion levels of dried watermelon rind at the starter phase

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-141
Author(s):  
B. O. Otu ◽  
A. A. Banjo ◽  
S. P. Kolo ◽  
A. M. Balogun ◽  
A. I. Dabban
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
The Other ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Poids Corporel ◽  
Watermelon Rind ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Total Digestible Nutrient

Watermelon rind is one of the several unwanted by-products generated by restaurants, fruit juice producers and food industries in Nigeria that can be gotten rid of by using it as an energy source in broiler production. The growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility of broilers fed diets containing varying inclusion levels of dried watermelon rind (DWMR) in replacement for wheat offal as source of energy and fibre at starter phase was evaluated. The dried watermelon rind was prepared by sun-drying fresh watermelon for three days and oven-dried at 50 ºC for 2 hours. The birds were randomly allocated to five (5) treatments (T1 – T5), each treatment had three replicates with ten (10) birds per replicate. The birds were fed varied levels of DWMR at 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % in replacement of wheat offal to obtain five diets. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum throughout the 28 days study duration. Body weight, Body weight gain, Feed intake, Feed conversion ratio and apparent nutrient digestibility were measured. The results obtained on the growth performance shows no significant (P>0.05) difference of the growth parameters across treatments. However, there was significant (P<0.05) difference in the digestibility of Crude fibre, Ether extract, Ash, Nitrogen free extract and Total digestible nutrient across treatments. There was no obvious variation in dry matter and crude protein digestibility. The result of the total digestible nutrient was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 (92.90 %) than the T1 (84.99 %) which was the control diet. The crude fibre digestibility recorded in T2 (63.48%) and T1 (61.09 %) is higher than T5 (43.00 %), the ether extract digestibility of T1 (96.42 %) is higher than the other groups with the lowest in T4 (95.25 %). There was depress ash digestibility in T5 (68.30 %), lower than the other groups with the highest in T1 (82.59 %). The study therefore concluded that farmers can replace wheat offal with 25 % watermelon rind in broiler starter diet without any deleterious effect in the growth performance and nutrient digestibility.     La croûte de pastèque est l'un des nombreux sous-produits indésirables produits par les restaurants, les producteurs de jus de fruits et les industries alimentaires au Nigéria qui peuvent être débarrassés en l'utilisant comme source d'énergie dans la production de poulets à griller. La performance de croissance et la digestibilité apparente des éléments nutritifs des poulets de grillage nourris selon des régimes alimentaires contenant différents niveaux d'inclusion de la croûte de pastèque séchée (DWMR) en remplacement des aals de blé comme source d'énergie et de fibres à la phase de démarrage ont été évaluées. La croûte de pastèque séchée a été préparée par pastèque fraîche séchée pendant trois jours et séchée au four à 50ºC pendant 2 heures. Les oiseaux ont été attribués au hasard à cinq (5) traitements (T1 - T5), chaque traitement avait trois répliques avec dix (10) oiseaux par réplique. Les oiseaux ont été nourris à des niveaux variés de DWMR à 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % et 100 % en remplacement des aals de blé pour obtenir cinq régimes alimentaires. L'alimentation et l'eau ont été fournies ad-libitum tout au long de la durée de l'étude de 28 jours. Le poids corporel, le gain de poids corporel, l'apport alimentaire, le rapport de conversion des aliments pour animaux et la digestibilité apparente des nutriments ont été mesurés. Les résultats obtenus sur la performance de croissance ne montrent aucune différence significative (P>0.05) des paramètres de croissance entre les traitements. Cependant, il y avait une différence significative (P<0.05) dans la digestibilité des fibres brutes, extrait d'éther, cendres, extrait sans azote et nutriment digestible total entre les traitements. Il n'y avait aucune variation évidente dans la matière sèche et la digestibilité brute de protéine. Le résultat du nutriment digestible total a été significativement (P<0.05) plus élevé en T2 (92.90 %) que le T1 (84.99%) qui était le régime de contrôle. La digestibilité des fibres brutes enregistrée en T2 (63.48%) et T1 (61.09 %) est plus élevé que T5 (43.00 %), la digestibilité de l'extrait d'éther de T1 (96.42 %) est plus élevé que les autres groupes ayant le plus faible taux de T4 (95.25 %). Il y avait une digestibilité déprimante des cendres en T5 (68.30 %), inférieure à celle des autres groupes ayant le taux le plus élevé en T1 (82.59 %). L'étude a donc conclu que les agriculteurs peuvent remplacer les aals de blé par 25 % de croûte de pastèque dans le régime de démarrage des poulets à griller sans aucun effet délétère dans la performance de croissance et la digestibilité des nutriments.

scholarly journals Weight for weight replacement of wheat offal with cassava root sievate in growing rabbit diet

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-103
Author(s):  
L. T Egbeyale ◽  
O. M. O. Idowu ◽  
O. M Sogunle ◽  
T. A. Amole ◽  
B. O Ogundipe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Carcass Yield ◽  
Cassava Root

A ten week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of Cassava Root Sievate (CRS) based diet on the performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. Forty-eight (48) crossbred, 7 weeks old weaner rabbits were used in the feeding trial in a completely randomized design. The CRS replaced wheat offal at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%, respectively resulting in seven dietary treatments, respectively. No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed between the rabbits fed the CRS and control diets in all the performance indices except the daily and final body weight. Weight gain however decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the CRS level increased in the diet. The treatment effect was significant (P<0.05) with the highest crude protein, crude fibre and dry matter digestibility values recorded for the rabbit in the control group. Daily energy intake and retained, digestible energy, metabolizable energy and gross energy were similar (P>0.05) across treatments. Biological value and apparent nitrogen digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increased CRS level. Blood serum metabolites of the rabbits were also positively (P<0.05) influenced by the treatments. The carcass characteristics showed significance (P<0.05) in terms of carcass yield percentage with 20% CRS treatment group having the highest carcass yield percentage. It was concluded in this study that CRS could be included in weaner rabbit diets up to 20% without compromising performance, carcass yield, digestibility and nutrient utilization.

Nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed different sources of animal protein

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-233
Author(s):  
O. O. Egbewande
Keyword(s):  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fish Meal ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Breast Muscle ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Crude Fibre

One of the most important aspects of animal nutrition is digestibility of ingested materials which has a direct relationship with the health status of an animal. The effect of different fish meal alternatives (maggot, termite, grasshopper and lizard meals) on nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens was investigated in this 56 days feeding trial. One hundred and fifty broiler chicks (Marshal breed) were used for the study. Birds were assigned into five dietary groups of 30 chicks each and further divided into three replicates of 10 chicks each. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain 5% fish meal, maggot meal, termite meal, grasshopper meal and lizard meal in treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (tagged T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 ) respectively in starter phase, while fish meal was replaced with 2.5% maggot, termite, grasshopper and lizard meals in treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively in finisher phase. The chicks were allocated into the four diets in a completely randomized design and housed in a deep litter pen with feed and water served without restriction. Results from dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ash, ether extract and nitrogen free extract digestibility showed significant (P<0.05) differences in the test ingredients on birds. Dry matter digestibility ranged from 88.35% in birds fed T3 to 91.86% in birds fed T5 . Crude fibre followed the same trend with the lowest (70.80%) in T3 and the highest (84.83%) in T5 , but ether extract digestibility was at the opposite trend where birds fed T3 had the highest (87.14%), and those on T5 gave the lowest (80.86%). Crude protein showed significant decrease across the treatments from 86.10% in T1 to 80.88% in T5 . Ash digestibility ranged from 68.84% in T2 to 77.05% in T1 . Results on cut-up parts showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) influence on all the parameters considered except in live weight, dressed weight and breast muscle weights where there were significant (P<0.05) differences. Internal organ proportions of the broiler birds showed no significant (P>0.05) effect of the test ingredients on all the parameters considered except in abdominal fat. It can be concluded that crude protein digestibility, live weight, dressed weight and breast muscle values in birds fed T2 (maggot meal) were higher than birds fed other test ingredients and as such recommended as an alternative to fish meal.

scholarly journals Effect of dietary formic acid as replacement of streptomycin on growth and nutrient digestibility in broiler

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
EK Ndelekwute ◽  
KD Afolabi ◽  
HO Uzegbu ◽  
EB Essien
Keyword(s):  
Formic Acid ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Growth Promoter ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Protein Utilization

An eight week feeding trial was carried out to compare the effect of antibiotic growth promoter (streptomycin) (AGP) and formic acid (FA) on growth and nutrient digestibility in broiler. A number of 150 day old (Hubbard strain) birds were allocated in 05 dietary groups viz. control, control with 0.02% AGP, control with 0.25% FA, control with 0.50% FA, control with 0.75% FA. Each group was replicated thrice having 10 birds and the birds were fed diet and water ad libitum for 8 weeks. Apparent digestibility of nutrients was determined at the end of the experiment. A significantly (p<0.05) reduced feed intake, improved feed: gain ratio and protein utilization were obtained for starter broilers fed 0.02% AGP, 0.5% FA and 0.75% FA. During finisher phase, AGP and 0.5% FA performed better in live weight, feed conversion ratio and protein utilization. Streptomycin and all the levels of FA resulted to better protein and ether extract digestibility. It may be suggested to use 0.50% FA in the diet of broilers in place of antibiotics.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v44i1.23146              Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 44 (1): 69-74

scholarly journals Feeding value of defatted cashew kernel as an alternative protein source in broiler diets

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 39-45
Author(s):  
T. O. Akande ◽  
F. A. Gbadamosi
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Caloric Content ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Crude Fibre

This study was carried out to determine chemical composition of defatted cashew kernel cake (CKC) and cashew kernel oil (CKO), assess performance characteristics and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed diets containing two grades of CKC. In the study, 210, one-day old Arbor acre broiler chicks which were stabilized on commercial diets (23% CP and 2900kcal/kgME) for 2 weeks before introduced to the seven experimental diets were used. The experiment was laid out in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement which consisted of a control treatment without CKC while treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7consisted of 33.33%, 66.67% and 100% replacement of groundnut cake (GNC) with grade I and grade II CKC  respectively. Digestibility trial was carried out at the end of eighth week of the study. Data on performance attributes and coefficient of nutrient digestibility were collected and analysed using a general linear model of SAS. The results of proximate composition showed no substantial difference in dry matter, crude protein, soluble and insoluble carbohydrate except ether extract. Caloric content in CKC was slightly higher than GNC. Both physical and chemical properties of the defatted cashew oil were similar to that of groundnut. The performance traits measured in terms of body weight gained, total feed intake and feed conversion were significantly (P<0.05) different across the treatments with birds on CKC showing superior performance than birds on GNC diet with 17.72% and 13.35% higher BWG in grade I and II respectively. Fat deposition was notably (P<0.05) higher in birds on CKC diets. Digestibility of nutrients indicated that the dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) affected across the treatments by the inclusion of CKC in the diets, while the Ash and NFE digestibility were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced. Economically, the use of CKC reduced the heightened cost of production by 9.1%. It can be concluded that grade I CKC could completely and favourably replace GNC in diets of chicken to improve growth, feed efficiency and to reduce the cost of feed per unit egg.

scholarly journals Nutrient Digestibility of Broiler Birds Fed Sugarcane Scrapping Bark Fermented with Rumen Liquor for 4 and 8 Days at Different Grade Levels

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Nwosu G. C. ◽  
Adeniji A. A. ◽  
Agubosi O. C. P.
Keyword(s):  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Feed Formulation ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Randomized Experimental Design

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient retention of treated sugarcane bark scrapping fermented with rumen liquor (TSBS) on the broiler chickens. Six experimental diets coded as T1 (0%), T2(7.5%), T3(15%) for 4 days’ fermentation and T4(0%), T5(7.5) and T6(15%) for 8 days. T1 (0%) and T4 (0%) are the control in both 4 and 8days fermentation. The feed formulation was compounded such that TSBS replaced maize at 0%, 7.5% and 15% levels respectively in broiler finisher diet. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) birds of four (4) weeks old broilers were randomly allotted into six treatment groups, each treatment had three replicates in a 2x3 factorial in a randomized experimental design. The facal sample was collected for 7 days at the end of experiment. Results on nutrient retention of the birds fed TSBS showed that the dietary levels had significant effect (P<0.05) on digestibility efficiency of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ash, and N.F.E retention. However, no significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in ether extract (EE) across the treatments measured. Fermentation days (4 and 8 days) had no significant (P>0.05) effect on digestibility efficiency of all the parameters measured except crude fibre and ash retention. However, interaction of fermentation days and level of TSBS in the diet significantly (P<0.05) affect all the parameters measured except ether extract retention. The interaction between 4 and 8 days shows that irrespective of the levels of inclusion of TSBS 0%, 7.5% and 15% and number of days of fermentation 4 and 8 days, the birds performed well. There was no significant (P>0.05) effect notice from the inclusion of 0%: 4days fermentation and the same for 0%: 8days in all the parameters measured in the feed trials. In 7.5%: 4days, 7.5%:8 days, 15%:4 days, 15%: 8days show also no significant (P>0.05) difference in the experiment. The interaction on the nutrient retention show that there was significant different (P<0.05) observed in the broiler fed TSBS. The study shows that there was no significant different between 4 and 8 days fermentation, therefore 4 days’ fermentation is recommended to use to avoid time taken and stress in fermentation for longer period.

scholarly journals Growth response and apparent nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits fed with diets containing bamboo leaf meal

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-58
Author(s):  
O. M. O. Idowu ◽  
A. O. Oso ◽  
O. A. Adeyemi ◽  
S. O. Osho ◽  
O. P. A. Idowu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Leaf Meal

A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the growth response and apparent nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits fed with diets containing bamboo leaf meal (BLM). Eighty weaner rabbits were allotted into four dietary treatment groups of twenty rabbits each. The dietary treatment groups consisted of four rations containing 0 (control), 10, 20 and 30% BLM respectively. Rabbits fed diet containing 10% BLM had the highest (P<0.05) final live weight, weight gain and apparent ether extract digestibility. Lowest (P<0.05) final live weight, weight gain, apparent crude protein and ash digestibility were noticed with rabbits fed with diets containing 20% or 30% BLM. Rabbits fed with diet containing 30% BLM recorded the highest (P<0.05) feed intake and lowest (P<0.05) NDF digestibility. It was concluded that inclusion of 10% BLM in diets for weaner rabbits supported improved growth and nutrient digestibility.

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