Effect of Replacing Wheat Offal with Millet Offal on the Growth Performance and Digestibility of Growing Rabbits

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding graded levels of millet bran on the performance of growing rabbits. A total of 25 rabbits (Dutch x New Zealand White) between 5 and 7 weeks of age with average initial weight of 515.80 g were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments containing 0, 7.25, 14.50, 21.75 and 29% millet bran (MB) in diets (treatments) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The MB replaced wheat offal weight for weight. Each treatment has five rabbits that were housed in individual cages. The experimental diets were served ad libitum. Results obtained after the 49–day trial revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) in the daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the treatment groups. Although the feed intake differed significantly (p<0.05) no discernable pattern was observed. Similarly, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in digestibility of the dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash and nitrogen-free extract. Only crude fibre digestibility was significantly different (p<0.05) among the treatment groups. The results of this study show that 100% of the wheat offal in the diets of growing rabbits could be replaced with millet bran without deterioration in performance.