Utilization of <em>Ipomea asarifolia</em> Hay in the Diets of Weaner Rabbits II: Digestibility and Carcass Characteristics

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of Ipomea asarifolia hay on nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of rabbits. Twenty five (25) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes, with an average live weight of 750g were used for the study. The rabbits were divided into five groups and allocated to five dietary treatments designated as I, II, III, IV, and V. The forages were mixed at different ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0 Ipomea asarifolia hay to groundnut haulms. Concentrate feed was fed once daily at the rate of 10g/rabbit before feeding the basal diets in which I. asarifolia hay was used as a replacement for groundnut haulms. Water was offered ad-libtum, while vitamin premix was added in water. The experiment lasted for eleven (11) weeks. At the end of the eleventh week feeding trial the same experimental animals and diets were used for the digestibility trial. Faecal samples were collected for seven days. Prior to collection of faecal samples, the pens were cleaned thoroughly. Faecal samples were collected and weighted immediately. Three (3) animals were selected randomly from each group for the carcass analysis. Slaughtering was done by severing the jugular vein and blood was drained. The slaughtered animals were skinned; eviscerated and whole carcasses weighed. The internal organs were weighed individually and recorded. The results showed no significant (P>0.05) differences in the treatment means of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and ash digestibility. However, significant differences (P<0.05) were recorded between the treatment means of crude fibre and nitrogen free extracts digestibilities. Similarly, no significant (P>0.05) differences were observed between the treatment means of the carcass weight, dressing percentage, lung, heart, kidney, abdominal fat, head skin and feet weights. The result of this experiment therefore suggested that I. asarifolia hay could be used to replace groundnut haulms as source of forage for rabbit especially in the dry season. It could therefore be recommended that farmers can mix up to 75% I. asarifolia hay in the diets of rabbit to replace groundnut haulms.