Comparative effect of feeding sundried sweet potato (<i>Ipomoea batatas</i> (L) Lam) meal and its whole meal to weaner rabbits

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the comparative effect of feeding sundried sweet potato and its whole meal to weaner rabbits. The  proximate analysis conducted revealed that sundried sweet potato meal and whole sundried sweet potato meal samples were rather low in protein contents as compared to maize. Twenty seven Weaner rabbits averaging 0.35kg were randomly allotted to 3 treatment groups in a completely  randomized design. Each treatment group was replicated 3 times. Sundried Sweet potato meal and its whole meal replaced maize at 20% inclusion level. Treatments 1, 2, and 3 contained the control, sundried sweet potato meal (SSPM) and whole sundried sweet potato meal (WSSPM)  respectively  at 20% levels off inclusion. The weaner rabbits were fed ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for growth performance of the rabbits in average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the weaner rabbits using sundried sweet potato and its whole meal. The values of mean daily weight gain ranged from 16.33g in treatment 2 (SSPM) to 18.47g in treatment 1 (control). Treatment 3 (WSSPM) gave a higher value that is comparable (p>0.05) to that of the control diet but better (p<0.05) than that of treatment 3 (SSPM). The values of average daily feed intake also ranged from 43g in treatment 2 (SSPM) to 50g in treatment 1 (control). WSSPM was consumed more than (p<0.05) than the SSPM which however influenced the cost of total feed consumed. Moreover, the values of feed conversion ratio (FCR) ranged from 2.54 in treatment 3 (WSSPM) to 2.70 in treatment 1 (control). Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed in bio-economics of production of weaner rabbits using the test diets. The cost per kg feed, cost of total feed consumed per rabbit, cost per kg weight gain and revenue of the rabbits fed the test diets were significantly lower than the control diet however, the cost per kg weight gain was lower (p<0.05) for treatment 3 (WSSPM). For gross margin, WSSPM value was significantly higher (p<0.05) than SSPM value and the control diet. It was concluded that whole sundried sweet potato meal can be a good feed ingredient in rabbit diet.

keywords: Comparative effect, sundried, sweet potato meal, performance, weaner rabbits