DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

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Author: search.filters.author.Abu, O. A.Subject: search.filters.subject.Rabbits

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    Effect of ß-mannanase supplementation and feed presentation on carcass characteristics and macro-mineral digestibility of growing rabbits fed palm kernel based diets
    (Nigerian Society for Animal Production, 2012) Abu, O. A.; Tanimowo, D. A.
    The influence of ß -mannanase supplementation and feed presentation of palm kernel cake (PKC, based diets were assessed on grower rabbits. Twenty crossbred grower rabbits (757.5 ± 65 g) of mixed sex aged between eight to ten weeks old were used during the trial in 2 X2 factorial design conducted in a completely randomized experimental design giving four treatment interactions with five replicates of one rabbit per replicate. The treatments were; TI- diet in mash form without enzyme; T2- diet in pellet form without enzyme; T3- diet in mash form with ß-mannanase (0.5g/kg) and T4- diet in pellet form with mannanase (0.5g/kg). The trial lasted for six weeks. The animals were weighed individually at the beginning of the study and weekly thereafter. At the end of the study period the feacal samples were collected and animals were slaughtered and measurements taken from the carcasses. The carcass yield showed no interaction, though full GIT weights (g) were significantly influenced (Tl-23.04, T2-17.67, T3-19.99 and T4- 18.74. Enzyme inclusion and feed form elicited significant effects on carcass characteristics, with varying improvements observed Enzyme inclusion on the mash diet gave lower organ weights compared to other diets. Feed form and enzyme inclusion influenced lengths of the Segments of the GTT, with rabbit on Diet 3 having the longest length. Pelleting influenced ileum lengths positively. Rabbits fed pelleted or mash diets whether supplemented or non-supplemented with ß-mannanase digested dry matter, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the same level. In conclusion, supplementation of diets with ß-mannanase and pelleting of diets improved phosphorus digestibility in palm kernel cake based diets. In addition, rabbits feed mash and pelleted rations with addition of ß-mannanase had improved loins as opposed to those fed mash and non-supplemented rabbits while other carcass and visceral organ characteristics were not significantly affected.
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    Performance characteristics of growing rabbits fed glicidia sepium leaf meal as a replacement for groundnut
    (Bioline International, 1999) Dada, S. A. O.; Abu, O. A.; Okeowo, T. A.; Badmus, O. R.
    The study involved 16 weaner crossbred (New Zealand White and Chinchila) rabbits of about eight weeks of a.fetz with initial average weight of 0.69 kg. The animals were offered a measured amount of their respective diets. The level of replacement of groundnut cake with Gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) were 0, 25 50 and 75%, to give four diets which were fed ad libitum throughout the experimental period of 35 days. The similar average daily feed intake of the rabbit fed 0, 25 and 50% GLM included diets was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the corresponding daily weight gain of the rabbits fed 25 and 50% GLM diets and those fed 75% GLM diet recorded the least (P < 0.05) daily gain. Dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly correlated with daily weight gain (r = 0.94, P < 0.05) and feed efficiency (r = 0.90, P < 0.05).
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    Nutrient utilisation and growth performance of rabbits fed diets based on maize, cassava or their by-products
    (Taylor & Francis, 1998) Onifade, A. A.; Abu, O. A.; Akande, O. N.; Abanikannda, O. T. F.
    A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate nutrient intake, digestibility and growth characteristics of rabbits fed maize grain (mg), maize offal (mo), cassava tuber (ct) or cassava peel (cp) based diets. The four test ingredients were included at 30.84% in diets supplying 17% crude protein. The consumption of dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre were higher (P4.05) in mo and cp based diets, while apparent digestibilities were better (Pc0.05) in rabbits fed mg and ct based diets. Rabbits fed mo attained the highest (P<0.05) body weight gain, followed by those fed mg and ct and the group fed cp gained the least. Feed consumption was higher (P<0.05) in rabbits fed cp and mo than mg and ct diets; and the gain: feed ratio was the reverse of the feed intake. It is concluded that mo and ct are effective substitutes for mg, however, diets based on cp would require nutrient supplementation.
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    Assessment of the effects of supplementing rabbit diets with a culture of saccharomyces cerevisiae using performance, blood composition and clinical enzyme activities
    (Elsevier, 1999) Onifade, A. A.; Obiyan, R. I.; Onipede, E.; Adejumo, D. O.; Abu, O. A.; Babatunde, G. M.
    The effects of dietary supplementation with a pure culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 0.0, 1.5 and 3.0 g kg−1 on growth performance, blood composition and clinical enzyme activities in serum of rabbits were studied during a 56-day experiment. Rabbits fed 3.0 g kg−1 attained the heaviest (P < 0.05) body weight, consumed the highest (P < 0.05) quantity of feed and had the best (P < 0.05) feed conversion. Rabbits fed 1.5 g kg−1 yeast had higher (P < 0.05) body weight, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency than the unsupplemented group. The haematocrit, erythrocytes, haemoglobin, serum albumin: globulin ratio, and erythrocytic indices in rabbits fed 3.0 g kg−1 were superior (P < 0.05) to the unsupplemented group. Other haematological indices were similar (P > 0.05); but differential populations of lymphocytes were fewer (P < 0.05) and monocytes and eosinophils were larger (P < 0.05) in rabbits fed the basal group. Serum Ca2+, globulin, cholesterol, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase were higher (P < 0.05) in the basal group than with the yeast-supplemented diets. The data obtained suggest that yeast addition significantly improved growth performance, enhanced haematopoiesis, reduced serum cholesterol and maintained the serum enzymes at normal ranges. Furthermore, the activities of the clinical enzymes suggested liver- and bone-specific advantages from supplemental yeast. The effects of yeast were dose-dependent, and there is a need to determine the economically optimum dietary concentration.
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    Productive response of rabbits to supplemental copper in a diet based on tropical feedstuffs
    (Taylor & Francis, 1998) Onifade, A. A.; Abu, O. A.
    Effects of supplemental copper in a diet based on tropical feedstuffs on productive performance, carcass measurements and haematology of rabbits were investigated in a 70d trial. Copper as CuS04.5H2O was supplemented at 0, 125, 250 and 375 mg kg-1 into a basal diet. The basal diet served as control treatment. Eight rabbits, each constituting a replicate, were fed on one of the experimental diets. The results showed that daily weight gain and feed intake of the rabbits fed 250 and 375 mg kg-1 supplemental copper were the highest followed by rabbits fed 125 mg kg-1 and the basal diet. Relative weights of the selected organs were similar except for the brain that tended to be lower in rabbits fed 250 and 375 mg kg-1 copper. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume and red blood counts were lower on 375 mg kg-1, however, haematological indices in rabbits fed 125 and 250 mg kg-1 were superior to other treatments. The results indicated that supplemental copper in a diet based on tropical feedstuffs improved performance, supported adequate organ development and might adversely affect haematopoiesis in rabbits at 375 mg kg-1 rate of inclusion.