Response of growing rabbits to graded levels of fermented and unfermented pineapple peel

Abstract

Forty growing rabbits were allocated equally to five groups in a 2 x 3 factorial layout and caged individually for a 56-day trial period in hutches. They were used to compare the effects of two processing methods (unfermented and fermented) and three dietary replacement levels of Pineapple peel meal (PPM) at 0%, 12.5% and 25% of maize on weight for weight basis. Parameters evaluated during the trial period included: growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost. Results show that average daily weight gain (ADG) reduced (P<0.05) as dietary inclusion level of PPM increased, although rabbits fed PPM at 12.5% dietary inclusion level compared favourably (P>0.05) with those fed the control diet (0%). However, ADG of rabbits fed fermented PPM was statistically higher (P<0.05) than that recorded for rabbits fed unfermented PPM. No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in daily feed intake of rabbits as a result of dietary inclusion level or processing type of PPM. Better (P<0.05) feed efficiency was recorded in rabbits fed PPM at 12.5% dietary inclusion level than those fed at 25%. Fermentation enhanced the nutritional value of feedstuff and also improved feed efficiency. Total feed cost reduced (P<0.05) by 21.39% when PPM was included in the diet at 25%. However, production result was not comparable with the control. But feeding fermented PPM at 12.5% inclusion level resulted in the best (P<0.05) economy of production. Processing type or dietary inclusion level of PPM had no significant (P>0.05) effect on dressing-out percentage of experimental animals. There were neither significant (P>0.05) effects of processing type nor dietary inclusion level on retail cuts of the rabbits fed the different experimental diets. In all feeding rabbits with diets containing fermented PPM up to 12.5% replacement level for maize optimum performance.

Dietary Levels of Pineapple Peels on Growth Performance, Reproductive Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Carcass Characteristics of Weaner Rabbits

“…The decrease in growth performance could be due to low digestibility as a result of increase inclusion of pineapple peels. The average live weight gains recorded in this experiment were lower than the value reported (11g/ day) by Adeyemi et al (2010) with 12.5 to 25% PP inclusion in rabbit diet which could be due to differences in the source of the experimental materials and animals, handling and processing methods implored by the authors. The present live gains are lower than 19.7 to 23.1 g/day and 19 to 22 implored by the authors.…”

“…However, the feed conversion ratio recorded in this experiment is better than that recorded by Adeyemi et al (2010) when pineapple peel was fed. The difference may due to the nutrient imbalance, particularly the CP contents of diets.…”

“…The PP crude protein value obtained is slightly higher than the value recorded 5.11 %) by Adeyemi et al (2010). In contrast, ash content is lower than that recorded (11.80 %) by the same authors.…”

“…The final average live weight gains and feed conversion rate of weaner rabbits significantly reduced as inclusion level of pineapple peels increased. Adeyemi et al (2010) and Fapohunda et al (2008) observed the same trend when using pineapple peel in the rabbits feed.…”

“…In addition, this result may express those diets based on pineapple peel as formulated, met feedstuff characteristics in relation to the gut capacity, rabbit's requirements and nutrient concentrations. However, the crude protein contents (13.92 -16.67 6) of the experimental diets were relatively lower than that of conventional diets (18.8 6) used by Kpodekon et al (2009) and that based on unfermented pineapple peel (19.5-19.8 %) formulated by Adeyemi et al (2010). The decrease in growth performance could be due to low digestibility as a result of increase inclusion of pineapple peels.…”