EFFECT OF REPLACING DIETARY MAIZE WITH DOUM PALM PULP (HEPHAENE THEBAICA) ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF GROWING RABBIT IN A SEMI-ARID ZONE OF NIGERIA
Abstract
A 7-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and cost benefit analysis of growing rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of doum palm pulp. Thirty two (32) mixed-breed rabbits aged 6–7 weeks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4), representing 0, 10, 20, and 30% inclusion levels of doum palm pulp, respectively. Each treatment had four rabbits. The experimental diets and clean drinking water were supplied ad libitum throughout the study. Parameters measured include final body weight, total feed intake, daily feed intake, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, and cost benefit indicators such as feed cost per kilogram, total feed cost, and feed cost per kilogram of weight gain.
The growth performance results showed no significant (p>0.05) differences among treatments for initial body weight, final body weight, weight gain, and FCR. However, average daily feed intake differed significantly (p
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