Effect of replacing maize with maize milling waste on the performance of rabbits, organ weights, and enzyme activities

Abstract

The potential of maize milling waste as feed supplement in rabbit diets and the effect on organ weights, plasma glucose, serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were studied Twenty four, six weeks old male and female exotic New Zealand white rabbits weighing 560-620g were fed three diets containing 0%( control), 50%, and 100% maize milling waste, in an eight week feeding trial. The experiment al design was completely randomized. The maize milling waste was found to be high in nitrogen free extract (76.56%), low in crude protein (7.62%) and fibre, (2.00%) respectively.

At 50% level of inclusion in the diet, maize milling waste gave significantly (P<0.05) better weight gains than the control and 100% level of inclusion. Protein efficiency ratio was also significantly (P<0.05) better at 50% inclusion, when compared with the diets containing the 0% (control) and 100% levels of inclusion. Blood enzymes from rabbits fed the trial diets did not differ significantly (P> 0.05) the alkaline phosphatase levels were similar (P>0.05). The results suggest that the diets met the calcium requirements of rabbits for bone mineralization, because high level of alkaline phosphatase is generally associated with subnormal calcium status. There was no incidence of enteritis or mortality among the treatment groups.

Key Words: Rabbits, Maize milling waste, Performance, Relative Organ weights, Enzymes