Indian Journal of Animal Research

  • Chief EditorK.M.L. Pathak

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Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 44 issue 2 (june 2010) : 87 - 93

EVALUATION OF ENZYME AND PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION OF MAIZE PROCESSING WASTE-BASED DIETS ON PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF WEANER RABBITS

P. N. Onu, S.A. Oboke
1Department of Animal Science, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
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Cite article:- Onu N. P., Oboke S.A. (2024). EVALUATION OF ENZYME AND PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION OF MAIZE PROCESSING WASTE-BASED DIETS ON PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF WEANER RABBITS. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 44(2): 87 - 93. doi: .
48 six weeks old crossbred weaner rabbits were randomly allocated to four treatments
to determine the effect of enzyme and probiotic supplementation of maize processing wastebased
diets on performance and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits. Four experimental diets
were formulated such that diet 1 (T1) contained 0% MPW while diet 2 (T2) contained 50% MPW
without supplementation. Diets 3 (T3) and 4 (T4) contained 50% MPW supplemented with 200mg
of enzyme (grindazym) and probiotic (yeast) per kilogram of feed respectively. Results showed
significant (P 0.05) differeces in body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein
efficiency ratio (PER), crude protein, dry matter, crude fibre and ether extract digestibility among
the rabbits. Rabbits fed enzyme (T3) and probiotic (T4) supplemented diets had significantly (P <
0.05) superior BWG, FCR and PER. compared to other treatment groups. Rabbits fed 50% MPW
diet without supplementation (T2) recorded higher BWG and better FCR than those fed 0%
MPW diet (T1) There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference among the groups in daily feed
intake (DFI), daily protein intake (DPI) and ash digestibility. Economic analysis favoured the
inclusion of MPW, enzyme and probiotic in weaned rabbits diets. However, cost saving in
percentage was higher for the supplemented diets. Results of this study suggest that up to 50%
maize in rabbit diet could be replace with MPW and that enzyme and probiotic supplementation
of MPW-based diet enhanced the performance of the rabbits.
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