Replacement value millet waste for maize on the performance of growing rabbits in the Sudan Sahelian zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The study. which lasted 56 days. was designed to investigate the effect of replacing maize with millet waste (MW) on the performance of growing rabbits . MW replaced equivalent levels of maize at 0.10.:20 and 30% levels in diets  l (control). 2. 3 and 4 respectively. The crude protein of the diets was approximately 19%. Twenty-four rabbits of mixed breed and sexes. aged between 5 and 7 weeks. were used for the study. They were individually weighed, matched for weight and randomly assigned to the four diets (treatments) in groups of six but caged individually. The diets. in mash form. and clean drinking water were supplied to the rabbits ad libitum, The feed intake (Fl).  average daily gain (ADG ). feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mineral availability constituted the major response criteria. The FL ADG and FCR were not significantly (P>0.05) atlected by the various dietary levels of MW. Apparent  availability of some minerals (P. K. Mg and Na) were significantly (P<0.05) depressed at 30% levels of MW. Calcium (Ca) availability increased (P<0.05) at 20 and 30% levels of MW. Furthermore. the incorporation of MW at the levels studied resulted in reduced feed cost and lowered feed cost per kg gain. The results of this study suggest  that 30% of MW could be included in the diets of growing rabbits without adverse effects on performance. However. further study is needed to test the etlicacy of higher levels of MW in the diets of growing rabbits.

Keywords: Millet waste. growing rabbits. performance. mineral availability