Nutrient Utilization By Rabbits Fed Brewers' Dried Grains From Different Proportions Of Barley, Maize And Sorghum

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the energy and protein of Brewers' Dried Grains (BDG) produced from different proportions of barley, maize and sorghum on the performance of rabbits. Sixteen (16) rabbits made up of New Zealand and Chinchilla, eight (8) weeks old averaging 1.20kg were used in the trial in a completely randomized design. The four (4) diets were BDG (maize:barley:sorghum) (BDG MBS); BDG (maize:barley) (BDGMB); BDG (maize: sorghum) (BDG MS) and BDG (sorghum) (BDG S). The diets were the only source of protein and energy. The treatment effect was significant (p < 0.05) with the highest crude protein digestibility and nitrogen retention values recorded for BDG MBS. The digestible and metabolizable energy values were not signiflcantly different (p > 0.05) for the BDG investigated. The digestible energy values determined for BDG MS, BDG S, BDG MBS and BDG MB in MJ/kg of dry matter were 16.97, 15.57, 14.84 and 13.35 respectively while the values for ME in MJ/kg of dry matter were 16.32, 14.91, 14.31 and 12. 34 respectively. BDG from local sources have potential to make complete feed for rabbits judging from their impressive energy and protein values.

Keywords: Brewer's Dried Grain (BDG). protein and energy values, rabbits