Effect of graded levels of toasted bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea L) waste on performance of growing rabbits

Abstract

The effects of different dietary levels of toasted bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea L) waste on the performance of growing rabbits was studied. Twenty-four, 6-7 weeks old cross bred (Chinchilla x New Zealand whitel rabbits with average initial weight of 9629 were used for the feeding trial which lasted for 8 weeks. The rabbits were randomly divided into four treatment groups of 6 rabbits each and fed diets containing 0% (control), 10, 20 and 30% toasted bambara groundnut waste (TBGW) using a completely randomized design (CRD). Dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen-free extract intake and digestibility, weight gain and economics of TBGW inclusion were determined. Proximate composition of the diets, faeces, raw and toasted samples were also determined. The raw and toasted bambara groundnut waste had 91 and 93% dry matter, 17.0 and 16.27% crude protein, 26 und 24% crude fibre, 5 and 3. 5% ether extract, 2.5 and 4.0% ash, 40.5 and 45.23% nitrogen-free extract, and 4.13 and 3.88 kcal/g energy respectively. Significant differences (P<0.05) existed between treatments in feed intake, weight gain, final body weight, and digestibility of dry matter. crude protein, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract. Feed intake, weight gain, final body weight, and digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and nitrogen-free extract were similar for the control and 30% TBGW diets, and these were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that for 10% TBGW diet. The feed cost AN/kg gain) was similar for 10, 20 and 30% TBGW diets. The result showed that up to 30% toasted bambara groundnut waste can be included in the diets of growing rabbits without any adverse effect on performance.