The Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Organ Characteristics of Weaner Rabbits Fed Sun Dried Bovine Rumen Content as Replacement for Maize

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and organ characteristics of weaner rabbits fed sun dried bovine rumen content-based diet as energy source in weaner rabbits. A total of eighty (8 weeks) crosses of New Zealand White x Chinchila weaner rabbits consisting of 40 males and 40 females weighing 880-920g were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized experimental design with 5 replicates of 4 rabbits each. Treatments were 4 experimental diets (T1, T2 T3 and T4) replacing 0, 30, 60, and 100% maize in the diets respectively. Results showed that rabbits on dried rumen contents had higher growth performance, percentage nutrient digestibility, and improved organ traits compared to the control group. The growth performance of rabbits and percentage nutrient digestibility increased as the level of dried rumen content increased in the diet. In conclusion, dried rumen content can be used to replace 100% maize in diets of rabbits by rabbit producers.