COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF SUN-DRIED RABBIT FAECES AND SUN DRIED PARTIALLY FERMENTED RABBIT FAECES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS, ORGAN WEIGHTS AND ENZYME ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The effects of sun-aried rabbit faeces (SDRF) and sun-dried partially fermented rabbitfaeces (SDPFRF) as feed supplements, on the performance of growing rabbits, organ weights, plasma glucose, serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were studied. The eight weeks feeding trial involving twenty four 6 weeks old male and female New Zealand white rabbits weighing 600 - 650g in a completely randomized design were fed, three diets containing 0%( control), 5% SDRF and 5% SDPERF. The sun-dried rabbit faeces (SDRF) and sun-dried partially fermented rabbit faeces (SDPFRF) were high in protein content, with (22.24% and 28.42% respectively, The SDPFRF was low in fat (0.94%) but high in fibre (16.74%) while SDRF was high in both fibre and fat levels (15.42 and 1.8%) respectively. Both supplements supplied appreciable amounts of protein and minerals. The 5% level of inclusion of SDPFRF in the diet gave significantly (P0.05) better weight gains than the 5% SDRF. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency were the same for the control and 5% SDPERF supplements, which were superior to the 5% SDRF diet. There was no incidence,of enteritis or mortality among the treatment groups.