Performance and Haematological Profiles of Crossbred Male Rabbits Fed Yam and Cassava by Products in the Humid Tropics
Joseph S. Ekpo *
Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B.1167, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Nseabasi N. Etim
Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B.1167, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Glory D. Eyo
Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B.1167, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Edem E. A. Offiong
Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B.1167, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Metiabasi D. Udo
Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B.1167, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate growth rate and haematological profiles of crossbred weaner males rabbits fed cassava and yam peels meal diets. Thirty-six crossbred weaner male rabbits aged 5-6 weeks were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments. Each treatment having 3 replicates with 3 rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design. Diet 1 was composed by 37% of maize (control group), diet 2-37% of yam peel, diet 3-37% cassava peel and diet 4-37% yam-cassava peel mix. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks. Results obtained revealed that rabbits that received diets 2 performed better (P<0.05) than those that were fed diets 1, 3 and 4 in terms of daily weight gain. Haematological parameters assessed indicated no treatment effect (P>0.05) among the groups. It is concluded that yam peel, cassava peel, and yam – cassava peel mix could successfully replace maize in rabbits diets.
Keywords: Cassava peel, growth, haematology, rabbit, yam peel