Growth Performance of Red Sokoto Bucks Fed Inclusion levels of Raw and Soaked Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Seeds in Rice Offal Based Diets.

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance of red Sokoto bucks fed two (2) inclusion levels of rawwater soaked and lime soaked Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds in rice offal based diets. A total of twenty one (21) red Sokoto bucks were randomly allotted into seven treatments with three (3) bucks per group while a group with zero inclusion of the seeds served as a control diet in a 2x3 factorial arrangement using a completely randomized design (CRD). The results showed there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in all parameters except for daily water intake. The increase in dietary inclusion levels for water soaked and lime soaked Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds increased significantly (P<0.05) the feed intake total weight gain and feed conversion ratio when compared to the control group while a decrease in performance was observed with increase in dietary inclusion levels of raw Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds. It could be concluded that the dietary inclusion levels of 10% and 20% water soaked and lime soaked and 10% raw Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds improved growth performance of Red Sokoto bucks compared to the 20% inclusion level of raw Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds and the 20% dietary inclusion levels of water soaked Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds was found to be the best in terms of growth performance and feed intake.

Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds, Soaking, Red Sokoto bucks, Performance