GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF GROWER RABBITS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH DRIED CITRUS (Citrus sinensis L.) PULP AS REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE

Authors

  • J. O. UGURU Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
  • O. R. OBIAZI Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
  • I. O. NWANKWO Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
  • O. B. NWOADU Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
  • E. P. UMOREN University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia.
  • E. R. ONAINOR Delta State College of Physical Education, Mosogar, PMB 4088, Sapele, Nigeria.
  • M. O. NWABUNIKE Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
  • P. N. ONU Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
  • P. N. ONU Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7643

Keywords:

rabbits, dried citrus pulp, agro-industrial byproduct, growth performance, waste-to-wealth

Abstract

A 56-day study was carried out to investigate the growth performance of grower rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of dried citrus pulp as replacement for maize. Seventy-two crossbred grower rabbits weighing 1400±0.11 g were randomly allocated to four experimental groups replicated thrice with 6 rabbits each. The control treatment (CTRL) was a standard rabbit ration. The other treatments contained 10, 20 and 30% ground dried citrus pulp designated as DCP10, DCP20 and DCP30 respectively as replacement for maize. Fresh forages were provided to supplement dietary fibre levels. Water and the diets were administered ad libitum. Feed intake and final body weight were measured on daily basis and FCR was calculated. The CTRL, 10 and 20% replacement of maize had equal final body weight (1770 g) which was significantly (P<0.05) heavier body weights than other treatment groups while CTRL (1770 g) had heavier (P<0.05) body weight than 30% replacement (1550 g). 30% replacement had the least (P<0.05) feed intake, final body weight but the best FCR (2.7). Replacing 20% of maize in the diet of grower rabbits with DCP is recommended since it gives higher body weight.

Author Biographies

J. O. UGURU, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Science

O. R. OBIAZI, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Science

I. O. NWANKWO, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Science

O. B. NWOADU, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Department of Agricultural Technology

E. P. UMOREN, University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia.

School of Environmental and Rural Science

E. R. ONAINOR, Delta State College of Physical Education, Mosogar, PMB 4088, Sapele, Nigeria.

Department of Agricultural Education

M. O. NWABUNIKE, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

P. N. ONU, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Science

P. N. ONU, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Science

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Published

2024-07-20

How to Cite

UGURU, J. . O. ., OBIAZI, O. R. ., NWANKWO, I. O. ., NWOADU, O. B. ., UMOREN, E. P. ., ONAINOR, E. R. ., NWABUNIKE, M. O. ., ONU, P. N. ., & ONU, P. N. . (2024). GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF GROWER RABBITS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH DRIED CITRUS (Citrus sinensis L.) PULP AS REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 116–119. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7643

Issue

2019: NSAP 2019 Proceedings

Section

Articles

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