Feeding value of tigernut (Cyperusesculentus) for growing rabbits
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Abstract
A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the feeding value of tiger nut for growing rabbits. Forty eight Chinchilla and New Zealand crossbred rabbits of mixed sexes were randomly allotted to six treatment groups in a Completely Randomised Design with each group replicated twice of four rabbits per replicate. Six diets were formulated such that diets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 contained 0, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40% tigernut meal respectively. The crude protein decreased from 18.33% in diet 1 to 17.74% in diet 6, whereas the ether extract increased from 4.89% in diet 1 to 14.44% in diet 6. Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, spleen and liver weight and nutrient retention showed significant differences (P<0.05).Feed intake, live weight and weight gain all increased with the dietary level of tigernut up to 24% inclusion after which the value retarded. The control diet and diet 3 (16% inclusion) had similar FCR which was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the other diets. The highest protein retention was obtained for rabbits fed diets containing tigernut from 0 to 16% level. The spleen and liver weight increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing levels of tigernut meal. The result of this experiment shows that 16% tigernut meal can be included in growing rabbit diets without compromising its growth performance.
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