International Journal of IT, Engineering and Applied Sciences Research (IJIEASR) ISSN: Volume 2, No. 8, August 2013

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1 14 Effects of Replacement of Wheat Offal with Sorghum Offal on Performance of Growing Rabbits and Cost Benefit of Replacing Wheat Offal with Sorghum Offal Igwebuike, J.U., Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri Borno State, Nigeria. Augustine, C, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa State Nigeria. Moses, J.D., Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa State Nigeria. Bitrus, B, Ministry for Livestock and Animal Production Adamawa State, Nigeria. ABSTRACT The study was conducted to determine the effects of replacing wheat offal with sorghum offal on the growth performance, carcass measurement and economic performance of young rabbits. Twenty (20) growing rabbits of mixed sexes and breeds were used for the study. They were matched for weight and randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in groups of four rabbits caged in twos. The levels of sorghum offal in diets/treatment 1(control), 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 0.00, 4.25, 8.50, and respectively. This amounted to 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement of wheat offal in the various diets. The diets and clean drinking water were supplied ad-libitum throughout the experimental periods which lasted for six weeks(42days).the parameters measured were daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass measurement. Rabbits on treatment 1 consumed significantly(p>0.05) more feed than those on treatment 4 and 5.The highest(28.28g) and lowest (19.58g) feed intake levels were recorded in treatments 1and 5 respectively. The weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different (P<0.05) among the treatments. The dressing percentage, weight of body components and organs measured did not differ (P<0.05) significantly among treatments. The cost analysis indicated that feed cost per kilograms of feed decreased with increasing level of sorghum offal in the diets. Feed cost decreased from N77.59 per kg in treatment one (0% sorghum offal) to N73.50 (a difference of N4.09) in treatment 5(100% replacement of wheat offal with sorghum offal).total feed cost followed a similar trend. However, feed cost/kg gain (N) was lower in treatments 2 and 5 than other treatments. Thus these two treatments (treatments 2 and 5) were economically better than the rest (treatment 1,2,3 and 4).It is concluded that up to 25% of wheat offal in diet could be replaced with sorghum offal without adverse effect on the growth performance of young rabbits Keywords: Replacement, wheat offal, performance, cost benefit. INTRODUCTION The need for adequate supply of quality protein in developing countries like Nigeria is on the increase and it has become necessary to exploit species of animals that are prolific and have short cycle of production. Adeyemi et al. (2010) pointed out that poultry, pig and rabbit represent the fastest means of correcting protein shortage of animal protein intake. This is because apart from their high rate of reproduction, these species are characterized by the best efficiency of nutrient transformation into high quality protein. Ukachukwu and Osuagwu (2006) reported that the gap between the requirement and supply of animal protein in Nigeria is attributed to shortfall in animal production which is occasioned by scarcity and high cost of inputs in animal production Rabbit production has been identified as an effective means of bridging the gap between protein supply and demand in Nigeria. However, scarcity and high cost of rabbit feeds has been a major obstacle to effective and viable rabbit production in Nigeria. This therefore calls for the search of cheaper alternative feed resources that could argument the existing conventional feed resources. Wheat offal which is one of the ingredients used for compounding ration for rabbit is becoming expensive day by day while sorghum offal has been identified as a cheaper alternative feedstuff that can replace wheat offal in the diet of rabbits. This experiment is therefore designed with the aim of evaluating the effects of replacing wheat offal with sorghum offal on the performance of growing rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental site The experiment was conducted at Adamawa State University Livestock Teaching and Research Farm. The area is located between latitude 9 o 30, and 11 o north of the equator and longitude 13 o and 13 o 45, east of the Greenwich meridian The temperature regime in Mubi

2 15 region is warm to hot throughout the year however, there is usually a slight cool period between November and February. There is a gradual increase in temperature from January to April. The minimum and maximum temperatures of the area is 18.1 oc and 32.8 oc while mean annual rainfall ranges from mm (Adebayo, 2004) Experimental Animals and Management Twenty (20) rabbits of mixed breeds (Dutch Newzealand white) of both sexes aged between 5 and 7 weeks were used for the experiment. The rabbits were housed in cages. The rabbits were allowed to adjust to the experimental condition for seven (7) days. The rabbits were treated against endo and ecto parasites using ivomectin Water and measured quantity of feed were provided ad-libitum.the animals were managed using conventional rabbit management practices as described by (Aduku, 1990) Experimental Diets and Treatments Five experimental diets were compounded with sorghum offal replacing wheat offal at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively.diet1 (0% replacement) served as the control. The composition of the experimental diet is presented in Table1 Table 1: composition of experimental diets Ingredients (%) T1(0%SO) T2(25%SO) T3(50%SO) T4 (75%) T5 (100%) Maize Wheat offal Sorghum offal Maize offal GNC Bone meal Salt Premix Total Calculated analysis Crude protein (%) M.E Kcal/kg Crude fiber (%) Calcium (%) Phosphorus (%) SO-Sorghum offal M.E- Metabolizable energy Parameters Measured Feed intake was measured by subtracting the left over feed from the initial feed offered to the rabbits per day. Live weight gain was determined by obtaining weekly differences in weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was computed using the formula: FCR= feed intake Weight gain At the end of the experiment, three (3) rabbits were randomly selected, starved for 12 hours and slaughtered to obtain carcass data. The slaughtered rabbits were immersed in hot water and the hair scraped with a blunt blade. The rabbits were eviscerated and dressed. The dressed carcass was splitted into fore legs, rack, loin and hind legs as described by (Blasco et al., 1993) and presented in figure1.the organs were weight and recorded. Mortality was recorded as they occur. Cost benefit of replacing wheat offal with sorghum offal was also computed.

3 16 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS The proximate composition of the experimental diets, wheat offal and sorghum offal was determined according to the procedure of (AOAC, 1990).The proximate composition of the experimental diets, wheat offal and sorghum offal are presented in Table 2. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the randomized block design (RBD).Means were separated where applicable using least significant difference (LSD). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The nutrient composition of the experimental diets, wheat offal and sorghum offal are presented in Table 3.The crude protein content of the diets ( ) were adequate for growing rabbits. This range is comparable with the protein of 16 18% reported by ( Adegbola, 1991) for growing rabbits. Wheat offal contain higher crude protein (17.38%) and lower crude fiber(13.0%) than the values of 12.88% and 19.00% obtained in sorghum offal respectively.however,the ether extract was higher in sorghum offal (13.00) than wheat offal(8.50%).the ash level were similar in wheat and sorghum offals.

4 17 Table 2: Proximate Composition of experimental diets, wheat offal and sorghum offal Nutrient (%) T1(0%SO) T2(25%SO) T3(50%SO) T4(75%SO) T5(100%SO) WO SO Crude protein Crude fiber Ether extract Ash NFE SO-Sorghum offal WO Wheat offal. The results of performance of growing rabbits fed experimental diets are presented in Table 3.The result of daily feed intake indicated significant variation(p>0.05).the result further revealed that daily feed intake decrease with increasing replacement level of wheat offal with sorghum offal. Rabbits on treatment 1(28.28g) consumed significantly (P>0.05) higher feed than treatment 4(22.75g) and 5(19.58g).The decrease in feed intake as the level of sorghum offal increases. This may be attributed to the tannin an anti-nutritional factor associated with sorghum grains. Sorghum offal has been reported to contain tannin of about 4.13g/kg dry matter(uko et al.,1999).this is further buttress by ( htm) which pointed out that tannin as little as 0.5% can cause growth depress in poultry and 5% tannin can cause 70% mortality. Tannins are known to depress feed intake, reduce growth and nutrient digestibility (Jansman, 1993).Aletor (1993) further elaborated that tannins cause decrease feed consumption in animal, bind dietary protein and digestive enzymes to form complexes that are not readily digestible. They also cause decrease palatability and reduce growth rate (Helsper et al., 1993) The daily weight gain for all the experimental groups showed non-significant difference(p<0.05).however, the mean daily gain(5.44 to 8.30g/day) is lower than values reported by Okpanachi et al., 2012 and Adeyemi et al., 2010) The result of feed conversion ratio showed significant variation (P>0.05) among the treatment groups. Rabbits on diet 1(3.49) recorded fairly better feed conversion ratio compare to other treatment groups. Rabbits on diet 5 recorded the lowest feed conversion. This may be attributed to increase level of dietary fiber as the replacement level of sorghum offal increases as revealed by the result of the proximate composition Table1.This is in line with the report of (Bawa et al.,) who pointed out that dietary fiber has effect on on dry matter digestibility which could affect feed intake and feed conversion ratio of animals. However, the feed conversion ratio obtained in this study is higher than values reported by Okpanachi et al., 2012) but were lower than values reported by(ukachukwu et al.,2011). Table 3: performance of rabbits fed graded levels of sorghum offal Variables T1(0%SO) T2(25%SO) T3(50%SO) T4(75%SO) T5(100%SO) SEM Initial weight(g) NS Daily feed intake(g) a ab ab bc c 2.54* Final weight NS Daily weight gain(g) NS Feed conversion NS ratio Mortality , A, b,c, Means in the same row with different superscript are significantly different (P>0.05) SO-Sorghum offal The result of carcass characteristics is presented in Table 4.The result revealed that slaughter weight,dressing percentage, weight of retail cuts and organs weight were not significantly different(p<0.05).this therefore signify that replacement of wheat offal with sorghum offal up to 100% did not affect carcass quality of rabbits.

5 18 Table 4: Carcass data of rabbits fed graded levels of sorghum offal Parameters T1(0%SO) T2(25%SO) T3(50%SO) T4(75%SO) T5(100%) SEM WBF(g) NS Slaughter wt NS Dressing wt(g) NS Dressing % NS WORC(%) Shoulder/fore legs NS Rack NS Loin NS Thighs/hindlegs NS WOBC/organs Head NS Feet NS Heart NS Liver NS Lungs NS Spleen NS Kidney NS Kidney fat(perirenal fat) NS Weight of GIT NS Key: WORC-Weight of retail cuts, WOBC-Weight of body cuts GIT-Gastrointestinal tract,wbf-weight before fasting The result of cost benefit of using sorghum offal as feed stuff for rabbits is presented in Table 5.The result revealed that feed cost per kilogram, cost of total feed intake and feed cost per kilogram weight gain reduces as the level of sorghum offal increases. Feed cost decreased from N77.59 per kilogram (0% sorghum offal) to N73.50 (a difference of N4.09) in treatment 5 (100% replacement of wheat offal with sorghum offal).the results on a general trend showed that replacement of wheat offal with sorghum offal is cost effective. The zero (0%) mortality recorded in all the treatment groups signify that replacement of wheat offal with sorghum offal up to 100% has little or no deleterious effects on growing rabbits. Table 5: Economic performance of rabbits fed graded levels of sorghum offal Variables T1(0%SO) T2(25%SO) T3(50%SO) T4(75%SO) T5(100%) Initial weight(g) Final weight(g) Total weight (g) Total weight gain(kg) Total feed intake(g) Feed cost per kg feed(n/kg) Total feed cost(n/kg) Feed cost/kg weight gain Profit(N/Kg) Cost benefit ratio SO-Sorghum offal This was based on the prevailing market prices of ingredients at the time of study 2010

6 19 CONCLUSION This study revealed that up to 100% sorghum offal can replace wheat offal in the diets of rabbits without adverse effect on the feed intake; feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics of growing rabbits. Similarly the economic performance of rabbits fed graded levels of sorghum offal indicated that feed cost per kilogram, cost of feed intake and feed cost per kilogram weight gain reduces as the level of replacement of wheat offal with sorghum offal increases. However, best results were obtained in diet 2 thus indicating that up to 25% of wheat offal in the diet could be replaced with sorghum offal without adverse effect on the performance of growing rabbits. REFERENCES [1] Ademola, S.G, Farinu, G.O. (2006).Performance of laying birds fed diets containing forage meal of Tithonia diversifolia and antibiotics. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 33(1): [2] Adeyemi, O.A., Ajado, A.O., Okubanjo, A.O. and Eniolorunda, O.O. (2010).Response of growing rabbits to graded levels of fermented and unfermented pineapple peel. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 38(1):86-98 [3] Aletor., V.A. (1993).Allelochemicals in plant foods and feeding stuffs part 1.Nutrition, Biochemical and physiopathological aspect in animal production.veterinary Human Toxicology 35(1): [4] Bawa, G.S., Ajide,S.O., Adeyinka, I.A. and Ajala, M.K.(2008).Effects of varying levels of groundnut haulms and cawpea shells on performance of weaner rabbits.asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 3(2): [5] Blasco, A., Ouhayoun, J and Masoera, G. (1993).Harmonization of criteria and terminology in rabbit meat research. World Rabbit Science1:3-10 [6] Helsper, J.P., Hoongendijk, J.M., Van Norel, A. and Burger-meyer (1993).Anti-nutritional factors in faba beans (Vicia faba L.) as affected by breeding towards the absence of condensed tannin. Journal of Agriculture and food chemistry 41: [7] Jansman, A.J.M. (1993).Tannins in feedstuffs for simple stomach animals. Nutritional Research and Reviews 6: [8] Okpanachi, U.,Sule, H., Aribido, S.O and Atabo, J.O. (2012).performance and haematological profile of rabbits fed cassava peel, rice milling waste and palm oil mixture. Proceedings of the 17 th Annual Conference of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) 19 TH -13 TH, 2012/Abuja Nigeria. [9] Ukachukwu, S.N and Ouagwu, N.C. (2006).Digestibility and energy metabolism of raw mucuna cocchinchinensis by growing rabbits.journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 8(2): [10] Ukachukwu, S.N., Ekwe, C.C and Ojewola, G.S. (2011).Performance of weaned rabbits fed graded dietary levels of composite Cassava meal. Nigerian journal of Animal Science, 2011,: [11] Uko,O.J., Ataja, A.M and Tanko, H.B. (1999).Response of rabbit to cereal by-products as energy source in diets Archivos de zootecnia 48: [12] ( Adverse effect of tannins on animal health from dairy farm guide.