ABSTRACT
The growth and haematological response of growing rabbits to diets containing graded levels of sun dried bovine rumen content (SBRC) were studied. Five diets containing 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40 % sun dried bovine rumen content coded as T1,T2,T3,T4 and T5, respectively, were compared. Twenty growing rabbits were randomly assigned to the treatments; each treatment had four experimental units. The rabbits were fed and watered ad libitum. The parameters measured were feed consumption, water consumption, body weight gain, mortality, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kg gain, feed cost per kg feed, live weight, dressing percentage, initial body weight, weight of internal organs and haematological parameters. Data collection was done for a period of nine weeks, but the experiment lasted for ten weeks. Statistical analysis was carried out on the data for daily feed consumption, daily water consumption, and daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kg gain, and feed cost per kg feed, dressing percentage, weight of internal organs and haematological parameters. There was no significant difference (p> 0.05) amongst the treatment means. Numerically, however, the rabbits on T5 recorded the best water and feed consumption, body weight gain, feed cost per kg feed, weights of internal organs and White Blood Cell count (WBC), while those on T4 had the best feed cost per kg gain and feed conversion ratio. The best Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Red Blood Cell count (RBC) were obtained with the rabbits fed T3 while T1 had the best dressing percentage. No mortality was recorded throughout the study.
The study indicated that SBRC could be fed to rabbits at 30% level of inclusion since it recorded the best feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg gain, thus providing a cheaper source of feeding and also helps in reducing environmental pollution.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Title page ii
Declaration iii
Certification iv
Dedication v
Acknowledgement vi
Abstract viii
Table of Contents x
List of Tables xii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Aims and Objectives of the Study 3
1.2 Justification and Significance of the Study 4
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review 5
2.1 Reviews on Rumen Content Related Diets 5
2.2 Origin and Distributions of Rabbits 10
2.3 Breeds of Rabbits in Nigeria 11
2.4 Productive Qualities of Rabbits 11
2.5 The Digestive System of the Rabbit 13
2.6 Digestibility of Nutrients by rabbits 16
2.6.1 Fiber 17
2.6.2 Protein and Amino acid Requirement 18
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Materials and Methods 20
3.1 Location 20
3.2 Management of Experimental Animals 20
3.3 Experimental Procedures 20
3.4 Experimental Diets 23
3.5 Experimental Design 24
3.6 Experimental Analysis 24
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Results 25
4.1 Discussions 29
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations 31
References 32
Appendix 41
Details of the Analyzed Results 41
Cost of Feed Stuffs Used 49