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

摘要

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 waste-based 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) differences 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 these 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.