Effect of Quantum blue® enzyme supplementation on the growth parameters of weaner rabbits fed toasted castor seed (Ricinus communis) meal (TCSM)-based diets

Abstract

Sixteen weaner rabbits weighing between 900 - 1000g liveweight were utilized in an experiment that lasted which lasted for 42days to investigate the effect of toasted castor seed (Ricinus communis) meal-based diets (TCSM) on growth performance supplemented with or without Quantum blue® enzyme. Four diets were compounded to be isonitrogenous (18% crude protein) and isocaloric (2800kcal/kg, ME). Treatments T1 and T2 contained 0% TCSM supplemented Quantum blue® at 0 and 100PPM while treatments T3 and T4 contained 30% TCSM and supplemented with the enzyme as in T1 and T2, respectively giving a 2x2
factorial. The rabbits were randomly allotted to the 4 treatments and each treatment was replicated 4 times. The results of the effect of enzyme supplementation or TCSM and that of their interactive effects on the growth performance of weaner rabbits shows that there was no significant variation (P>0.05) in all the parameters evaluated. Rabbit farmers can adopt toasting method of processing castor seeds and could include up to 30% TCSM especially when supplemented with Quantum blue® in the diets of grower rabbits without affecting their growth rate.