Effects of dietary levels of enzyme (Maxigrain®) supplemented yam peel meal on performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary levels of enzyme supplemented yam peel meal (YPM) on performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. Five diets were formulated using YPM to replace maize at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% representing diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. All the diets were supplemented with Mixagrain® enzyme at 200g except the control diet 1 (0%). Thirty weaner rabbits consisting of mixed breeds and sexes were randomly allotted to the five dietary treatments with six rabbits per treatment and replicated 3 times with 2 rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design. On the 56^th day of the experiment, 3 rabbits from each treatment were randomly selected for carcass and internal organs evaluation. Result of performance shows no significant differences (P>0.05) across the treatments for all the parameters measured for growth performance. Feed cost/kg (₦ /gain) reduces from ₦225.68 in diet 1 – ₦189.15 in diet 5 (100%) while cost savings increased from ₦ 0.9 in diet 1 - ₦28.33 in diet 5 (100%). Result of carcass and internal organs characteristics did not show any significant differences (P>0.05) except for small and large intestine length in diets 4 (75%) and diet 5 (100%). Based on this result therefore, enzyme supplemented YPM can be used to replace maize completely.

Keywords: Enzymes, yam peel meal, performance, carcass, weaner rabbits