Effect of graded levels of maize cob meal as replacement for dietary maize on the carcass characteristics of growing rabbits

Abstract

A 12 week feeding trial was conducted with thirty (30) weaner rabbits with average weight of 355.00g of mixed breed (New Zealand X American Chinchilla) and mixed sexes to investigate the effect of maize cob meal (MCM) on carcass characteristics. Thirty mixed breed rabbits were used and randomly assigned to treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in which MCM replaced maize at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% weight for weights respectively at the rate of six (6) rabbits per dietary treatment. Results obtained showed that MCM contained ME of 2104kcal, CP of 3.0%, cellulose of 34%, NDF of 70.63%, C of 44%. Significant difference was observed on carcass yield, internal organs and gastrointestinal tract characteristics. Dressing percentage values ranged from 54.05 to 62.44%. It was concluded that maize cob meal can replace maize in growing rabbit diet up to 10% without adverse effect on the carcass characteristics.

Keywords: Carcass; Maize Cob Meal; Rabbit