Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

The Value of Rice Husk Fed with or Without Probiotics and Enzymes Supplementation to Replace Groundnut Cake in the Dietsof Grower Rabbits

Adeniji AA;Duwa H; Umar M.

Seventy two (72) 8 weeks old, mixed sexes cross bred rabbits were used to investigate the effect of replacing rice husk for groundnut cake (GNC) with or without probiotics and enzyme supplementation in the diets of grower rabbits. Dietary GNC was replaced with rice husk at 3 levels (0, 30, 60%) with 4 supplementation levels (No supplement added (NSA), Probiotics A, Probiotics B and enzyme) using 3X4 factorial of completely randomized design. The experiment lasted for a period of eight (8) weeks. The results showed that, increase in the inclusion level of rice husk had significant effect (P <0.05) on feed to gain ratio, nitrogen digestibility but feed cost efficiency showed no significant effect (P>0.05) as the level of rice husk increased from 0 — 60%. There were significant effect (P<0.05) of supplementation on the feed to gain ratio but showed no-significant effect (P>0.05) on the feed cost efficiency. The interaction between the varying level of rice husk and supplements had significant effect (P<0.05) on feed to gain ratio, nitrogen digestibility but nosignificant different (P>O.05) in feed cost efficiency. On nitrogen digestibility, the interaction between enzyme and probiotics showed no-significant effect (P>0.05) on all the parameters, where as it showed non-significant effect (P>O.05) on feed cost efficiency. However, the interaction revealed comparable figures between enzyme and probiotics on cost of feed consumed and cost of rearing but show significant effect (P>O.05) on profit and gross profitability. Conclusively, the research has shown that, rice husk has high potential as substitute for high cost protein GNC. 60% of GNC can be replaced with rice husk because of a reasonable weight gain, best feed to gain ratio and high nitrogen digestibility obtained in this study. Supplementation of rice husk with probiotic A is also recommended because it has better feed to gain ratio compared to enzyme and probiotic B supplemented diet.

Published Date: 2014-10-08;