EFFECT OF VARYING LEVELS OF SOAKED ROSELLE CALYCES ON GROWTH  PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEANER RABBITS

M. S. Tamburawa; B. A. Shu’aibu; M. H. Aisha; A. M. Hassan; A. G. Khaleel; A. Y. Abdullahi; S. S. Saidu

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.8513

Authors

M. S. Tamburawa Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano State, Nigeria.
B. A. Shu’aibu Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano State, Nigeria.
M. H. Aisha Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano State, Nigeria.
A. M. Hassan Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano State, Nigeria.
A. G. Khaleel Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano State, Nigeria.
A. Y. Abdullahi Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano State, Nigeria.
S. S. Saidu Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.8513

Keywords:

Soaked Roselle calyces, Weaner rabbits, Performance, Nutrient digestibility

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of soaked roselle calyces on the performance and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits. Five (5) diets were formulated in which soaked roselle calyces (SRC) was included at varying levels of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Thirty (30) Mongrel weaner rabbits were randomly allotted to five treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated 3 times consisting of two male weaner rabbits per replicate. The experiment lasted 7 weeks. The performance parameters and nutrients digestibility were evaluated and data was subjected to analysis of variance. The results of the performance of rabbits showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the final body weight (1036.67-1721.68g), daily weight gain (13.19 -32.71g, and daily feed intake (96.42 - 130.12g). The highest value of the final body weight was recorded in T3 (4% SRC diet). The feed conversion ration and feed cost per kilogram gain were better for rabbits fed T3 (3.82 and N332.60 respectively) compared to rabbits fed other treatments. The results of the nutrient digestibility showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the protein digestibility and fibre digestibility. The crude protein and fibre digestibility were higher in T4 (78.12% and 69.15% respectively) compared to others. The ash and nitrogen free extract digestibility were both significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary utilization of SRC in the diets. Based on this study, the soaked roselle calyces can be incorporated in the weaner rabbits diet up to 4% without any deleterious effects on the growth performance and nutrients digestibility with some reduction in the cost of production.