Effect of dietary inclusion of sorghum milling waste on growth response, nutrient utilisation, gut characteristics and cecal microflora of weaner rabbits

Abstract

Growth response, nutrient digestibility and cecal microflora of 80 male, mixed breed weaner rabbits fed with varying dietary inclusions of sorghum milling waste (SMW) was investigated. Four experimental diets were formulated such that SMW was included at 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 g/kg, respectively. Each dietary treatment was performed on 20 rabbits. Feed intake increased (P < 0.05) while final live weight and feed conversion ratio of rabbits decreased (P < 0.05) following increased dietary inclusion of SMW. Rabbits fed with 100 and 200 g/kg SMW had similar feed conversion ratios, weight gain, crude fiber, dry matter and crude protein digestibility values. Rabbits fed with 300 g/kg SMW recorded the lowest (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and rack weight. Similar dressing percentage and rack weight were recorded for rabbits fed with control diet, 100 and 200 g/kg SMW. The weight of cecal content increased (P < 0.05) with increased dietary inclusion levels of SMW. Rabbits fed with 300 g/kg SMW recorded the lowest (P < 0.05) coliform and lactobaccillus counts. Dietary inclusion of up to 200 g/kg SMW supported improved growth response and carcass yield without imposing any detrimental effect on cecal microflora.

Growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed varying inclusion levels of toasted African mesquite (Prosopis africana) seed meal

“…Fish generally require omega-3 fatty acids rather than omega-6 fatty acids in contrast to terrestrial animals which require omega-6 fatty acids [19] . Previous works of Oso et al, [20] showed the need to use plant meal in combined form to produce the cheapest and required nutrient for fish and this formed the basis of this research work. The crude proteins from the five diets are within the requirements recommended for catfish C. gariepinus fingerlings in tropics which agreed with the work of Oso et al; Eyo and Falayi [20,21] .…”

“…Previous works of Oso et al, [20] showed the need to use plant meal in combined form to produce the cheapest and required nutrient for fish and this formed the basis of this research work. The crude proteins from the five diets are within the requirements recommended for catfish C. gariepinus fingerlings in tropics which agreed with the work of Oso et al; Eyo and Falayi [20,21] . The results obtained in these studies agreed with Fasakin et al; Ugwumba, et al, [22,23] that relatively low fibres and high protein contents as revealed in the fish growth and better utilization by fish growth and feed conversion ratio in this studies.…”

Interaction effect of whole wheat feeding and mannanoligosaccharides supplementation on growth performance, haematological indices and caecal microbiota of cockerel chicks

“…At 56th day of the study, three birds per pen ( n = 18 per treatment) were selected and slaughtered for the collection of caecal content. Fresh samples of caecal contents ( n = 18 per treatment) obtained were used for the estimation of gut microbiota (Oso et al., ). A gram sample was dispersed in 9 ml phosphate‐buffered saline solution supplemented with 0.5 g/l cysteine‐hydrochloride, and further diluted to a factor of 10 −8 .…”

Dietary Sugar Beet Tops and Prebiotic Effect on Nutrient Digestibility, Caecal Activity and Organ Histology of Weaning Rabbits

“…Similarly, rabbits fed Phaseolus vulgaris straw (PS) containing various additives showed lower coliform count in their caecal content when compared with those fed the clover hay diet's (El-Gohary & Abo El-Maaty, 2014). On the other hand, Oso et al (2011), who recorded that lower microbial counts in caecal contents of rabbits fed with 300 g/kg sorghum milling waste which could indicate the increased digesta transient rate caused by high dietary fiber.…”