Growth, carcass and meat characteristics of local breed of rabbits fed diets containing soaked and dried mango (Mangifera indica) seed kernel meal

Abstract

This study was conducted to find substitutes for dietary maize in rabbit rations, to minimize competition between humans and livestock over the commodity. Mango seed kernel meal (MSKM) was used to substitute up to 20% of maize in rabbit rations, to assess its effects on growth, carcass and meat characteristics. Fresh mango seeds were obtained, husks were removed and seeds soaked in fresh potable water for 48 hours. The seeds were then dried to a moisture content of about 15 %, and then milled for use. Three experimental diets were formulated, where T1 (control, had no MSKM), T2 (10% of maize was replaced with MSKM) and T3 (20% of maize was replaced with MSKM). A total of 48 six-week old rabbits of indeterminate breeds (24 males and 24 females) were assigned to the three dietary treatments (16 rabbits per treatment), and were fed adlibitum for 6 weeks, to determine feed intake and growth rates of the rabbits. Water was however provided ad-libitum. At the end of the feeding trial, 24 rabbits were randomly selected (8 from each treatment, equal number of males and females) and were slaughtered humanely after a 12-hour feed withdrawal, for carcass and proximate analyses of the meat. Results from the study indicate that, feed intake and growth rates of the animals reduced significantly (p<0.05) when dietary maize replacement with MSKM increased beyond 10% inclusions. However, crude protein, phosphorus, potassium and zinc contents of the meat increased significantly (p<0.05) as MSKM inclusions increased. That notwithstanding, carcass parameters and organ weights were not affected by substituting up to 20% of maize with MSKM (p>0.05). It can be concluded that MSKM can efficiently be used to substitute up to 20% of maize in rabbit rations, for reduced feed cost, improved crude protein, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc contents of the meat.

Fatty Acid Profile, Carcass and Meat Quality Attributes of Rabbit Breeds in Ghana Fed Diets with Graded Levels of Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Kernel Oil Residue

“…The study was undertaken in the Laboratories of the School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The mean annual temperature is about 23 o C and relative humidity of about 90% mostly at night, but decreases gradually to about 70% during the day (Teye et al, 2020).…”

Effect of Dietary Partial Replacement of Corn Grains by Mango Seeds on Productive and Reproductive Characterization of Damascus Goat Bucks at Prepubertal Stage

“…Several authors studied the effect of MS inclusion in the diet on growth performance of sheep (Aragão et al, 2012), goats (Silva et al, 2016), and rabbit (Teye et al, 2020). The information on the influence of MS replacement in the diets on reproductive performance of small ruminants is rare.…”

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Plant Meal in Rabbit Diets: Effects on Meat Quality and Heavy Metal Content

“…Animal scientists have been testing the potential of nonconventional feed ingredients for use in livestock production to reduce competition between animals and humans over certain food items, as well as reduce the cost of producing livestock. − In Ghana, wheat bran (an important feed ingredient) is scarce due to high demand for the commodity. Meanwhile, water hyacinth plant meal has a similar density and nutrient composition to wheat bran; hence, it could be a good ingredient for use in place of wheat bran, as water hyacinth is currently a nuisance in the environment.…”