EFFECTIVE RABBIT PRODUCTION USING TIGER NUT (Cyperus esculentus) WASTE AS A fibre SOURCE

Abstract

Fiber as a major constituent of livestock feed had become a constraint today as the cost price kept soaring thereby making it impeccable for farmers to sustain their production. Wheat offal is a generally acceptable fibre source for all categories of livestock but it is now cost in-effective, thus necessitating a quest for an alternative. This six-week research employed the substitution of tiger nut waste (TNW) for wheat offal in rabbit diets at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% levels. Thirty unsexed New Zealand x California rabbits about 7 weeks old, average weight 950g were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments. Each treatment had six rabbits replicated thrice with two rabbits. Feed and clean water were offered liberally throughout the experimental period. The feed intake, weight change of the rabbits was measured weekly and were used to determine the feed conversion ratio (FCR). The result reveal that the growth performance parameters measured were not affected by the level of tiger nut waste substitution for wheat offal although different values were observed in each of the parameter. No mortality was recorded throughout the experimental period. However, the best FCR was observed in rabbits fed 30% TNW substitution for wheat offal. The highest weight gain was recorded in rabbits fed 45% TNW substituted diets which also is reflective in the feed intake. The experiment concluded that for better weight gain and feed conversion ratio, rabbit diet can be substituted with 30% TNW for wheat offal and it is hereby recommended