Studies on the Psychological Responses of Male Rabbits Fed Varying Levels of Tiger Nuts (Cyperus Esculentus) Meal

Okiyi, P.C; Chukwu, B.C. and Adagbo, A.P.

ABSTRACT

A feeding trial using thirty-six (36) weaned male rabbits was conducted to determine the physiological responses of male rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of tiger nut meal. The rabbits were assigned to four dietary treatments. Each treatment was divided into three replicates of three rabbits per replicate. Four experimental feed were formulated for the four treatment groups. The inclusion levels of tiger nuts meal in the feeds formulated were 0, 10,20 and 30% and designated T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. T₁ (0% tiger nuts meal) was control. The experimental design was a completely randomized design, data were collected on average feed intake, average body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass proportion, Haematology and serum biochemistry of male rabbits. The rabbits were fed for twelve weeks after which digestibility trial was conducted. The results showed that average initial body weight and feed intake were not significantly different (p>0.05). The feed conversion ratio and average body weight gain of the treatment groups were significantly (p<.0.05) different. The results indicated that feed intake reduced as the level of tiger nuts meal inclusion increased, total body weight, final weight gain and feed to gain ratio were better in rabbits fed tiger nut meal compare to the control. Feed intake decreased with increase in the level of tiger nuts meal inclusion. The results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in haematology and serum biochemistry between the control and treatments with varying levels of tiger nuts meal.  The internal organs showed no significant (p>0.05) difference across the treatments. It was concluded that for better performance of rabbits, tiger nuts meal can be included up to 20% level without any deleterious effect.