EVALUATION OF PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE DUNGS OF SHEEP, RABBIT AND GOAT FOR THE POSSIBLE USES IN LIVESTOCK INDUSTRIES

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the proximate and mineral compositions of sheep, rabbit and goat dungs. samples were collected from different locations within Afikpo, Ebonyi State while the rabbits sample was gotten from rabbit section of the Agricultural Technology Departmental farms in Unwana. North LGA Ebonyi State. These samples were air-dried and sent to laboratory for their proximate and mineral analysis. The results of the study revealed that there were no significant differences (P> 0.05) in the proximate and mineral compositions of the sheep, rabbit and goat dungs observed in this study. This is an indication that the sheep, rabbit and goat dungs used in this study had similar characteristics which could be attributed to the fact that the sheep, rabbit and goat from which the dungs were obtained were majorly fed with forages. The findings of the study further indicated that the chemical composition of dungs is dependent on the nature of feeds given and the type of the digestive system of the animals in question.