Performance characteristics and cost benefit of feeding weaner rabbits cashew nut residue based diets

Abstract

A 42-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the performance characteristics and cost benefit of feeding weaner rabbits cashew nut residue (CNR) based diets. Three dietary treatments containing: 0.10 and 20% CNR at the expense of maize on a weight for weight basis were used. Eighteen weaner rabbits (mixed breeds and sexes) were randomly divided into three groups of six rabbits each in a completely randomized design (CRD). The average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments. But rabbits fed 10% CNR based diet had the highest values for average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake while rabbits fed the control diet (0% CNR) had the least value for feed conversion ratio. No mortality was recorded for all the dietary treatments. The feed cost/kg diet (₦), feed cost/kg live weight gain (₦/kg) and cost of feed consumed/day (₦) decreased steadily with increasing level of cashew nut residue meal. The saving on feed cost (%) was not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments, but increased across the groups. However, the saving on feed to produce 1kg live weight was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the CNR based diets. Rabbits fed 10% CNR based diet had the highest value of 9.66% than their counterparts fed other diets. It is concluded that cashew nut residue could be incorporated into rabbit diet at 10% without compromising the performance