Theses and Dissertations- Masters

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations- Masters by Author "Acheampong, Maud Boakyewaa"

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    Performance of Grower Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) Fed On Prosopis Juliflora Pods Fermented With Aspergillus Braziliensis -Based Diet
    (Egerton University, 2024-09) Acheampong, Maud Boakyewaa
    Commercial rabbit feed is mainly composed of cereals that are also human foods. Usually, there is a scarcity of cereals. Prosopis juliflora pods (prosopis pods) are locally available and have been identified as a possible substitute for cereals in animal feed production. However, utilisation of the pods in feed production has been hindered by anti-nutritive factors (ANF) content, which decreases the bioavailability of nutrients. This study evaluated the effects of incorporating prosopis pods fermented with Aspergillus braziliensis, a probiotic with potential to break down ANFs rapidly and enhancing production of more nutritive functional products in grower rabbit diet for better performance. The feeding trial was conducted for fifty-six (56) days at Tatton Agriculture Park using forty-eight (48) New Zealand White grower rabbits (24 bucks and 24 does), 42 days old. Four dietary treatments were formulated containing of 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% fermented ground mature prosopis pods (FGMPP)-based diets for eight weeks. The results showed that the ANFs reduced by 10.71% (pectin to 10.5%, Phytate to 0.2% and condensed tannins to 0.01%). The proximate composition increased by 38.4% (protein 16.3%, total fibre 14.2%, total Ash 5.9% and crude fat 2.0%). Rabbits fed on a diet with 60% FGMPP had the highest average daily feed intake, while it was similar in diets with 20 and 40% FGMPP. The diet with 0% FGMPP had the lowest average daily feed intake. The diet with 60% FGMPP had the highest weight gain. The diet with 60% FGMPP had the lowest feed conversion ratio. The growth rate of grower rabbits did not significantly differ between the diet, with 40% and 60% FGMPP. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the dressing percentages among all prosopis pod inclusion levels. There was no significant difference between the intramuscular fat in all the prosopis pods inclusion levels. The 20, 40, and 60% FGMPP inclusion levels in the diet had no significant effect on the colour and pH of the carcass. From the results Prosopis Juliflora pods improved the performance (feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and growth rate) of grower rabbits. It is recommended that rabbit farmers incorporate up to 60% FGMPP in the diets of grower rabbits