EFFECTS OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL BY PRODUCTS ON THE GROWTH OF RABBITS IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

The use of agro-industrial by products as a source of protein could minimize the challenge of obtaining locally available concentrate for rabbit production especially in the dry season. The study was carried out to investigate the effects of four agro-industrial by products and maize as a control on growing rabbits. The agro by-products included Milled Mango Seed Kernel (MMSK), Maize Bran (MB), Brewers Spent Grain (BSG) and Corn Mill Residue (CMR). A total of 20 rabbits were randomly assigned to the five experimental diets for a period of 49 days after one week adaptation period. The OM was in the range of 609857g/kg and that of carbohydrate was in the range of 563-768.5g/kg. The crude protein from the experimental diet was in the range of 168 and 330g/kg. The highest ADF fraction was obtained in BSG and the least from maize. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in final live weight gain and average daily weight gain among the treatments diets. Significant difference was observed in PCV, RBC and Hb with the highest recorded in MB. The total WBC was also significantly different with the highest obtained in CMR and the least in MMSK. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in dressing percentage, hot carcass and cold carcass weight. Maize bran could be incorporated in the diet of rabbits at 70% without any detrimental effect on grower rabbits.