Nutritive value of unripe and ripe plantain (Musa paradisica) peels for weanling rabbits

Abstract

Dried plantain (Musa paradisiaca) peels (DPP), either ripe or unripe (green), were given to Weaned rabbits to replace maize at O, 10, 20 and 30% levels in isonitrogenous (18% crude protein) diets for 56 days in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment. The 30% inclusion level of DPP depressed (P < 0.05) the final weight gain, daily weight gains, and feed conversion efficiency. Ripe or unripe DPP had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on the performance parameters except feed intake, which was improved (P < 0.05). The interaction between ripe or unripe DPP and inclusion levels significantly (P < 0.05) affected weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Inclusion of DPP depressed (P < 0.05) dressing percentage and lumbar and limbs weights while the viscera weight was increased Ripeness the plantain peels had no significant effect (P < 0.05) on the carcass yield. There was also increase in profit margin expressed in terms of feed cost/ kg live weight gain with inclusion of plantain peel in the diet. The results of this study showed that ripeness slightly improved the nutritive value of DPP which can be included al 20% in weaned rabbits ' diet to replace maize.