Effects of Replacing Maize with Sorghum Offal in the Diets of Weaner Rabbits

Abstract

Twenty –four, four weeks old weaner rabbits of mixed breeds were fed diets in which sorghum offal replaced 0, 33, 66 or 100% respectively of the 39% dietary maize contained in the control diet during an 8 weeks trial period. The rabbits on the sorghum offal replacement for maize (SORM) had a higher (P<0.05) feed intake than those on the control with the exception of the rabbits fed the 66% SORM diets. Rabbits fed the control diet had a better (P<0.05) body weight gain than those fed the SORM diets. The feed to gain ratio for all the experimental rabbits were comparable (P<0.05) and the feed cost per kg diet kept declining with the higher levels of Sorghum offal in the diet. The rabbits fed the control diet had the best (P<0.05) nitrogen digestibility value of 59.34. Based on the feed to gain ratio and the nitrogen digestability the 100% SORM diet was recommended for weaner rabbits.

JARD Vol. 2 2003: pp. 1-6