The Effect of Boiled African Pear Seed Meal (Dacryodes edulis) on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Weaner Rabbits

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of boiled African pear seed meal on the performance and nutrient digestibility coefficient of Weaner rabbits. African pear seeds were washed, chopped into pieces, boiled for one hour, sundried and milled to produce a boiled African pear seed meal (BAPSM). Four diets were formulated and designated T1, T2, T3 and T4. T1 contained maize as the main energy source, and T2, T3, and T4 contained BAPSM at 5, 10 and 15% levels, respectively, replacing maize in the diets. Thirty-two Weaner rabbits aged between 6 – 7 weeks were used for the study. The rabbits were divided into four treatments of eight rabbits, and each treatment was allotted one of the diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was further divided into four replicates of two rabbits per replicate. The experiment lasted 12 weeks, and the data obtained were statistically analyzed. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in feed intake, final body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio values. All investigated nutrient digestibility coefficient parameters were significantly affected (p<0.05) by the diets. It was concluded that boiled African pear seed meal could be included in Weaner rabbits' diets up to 15% level to enhance the performance and nutrient digestibility coefficient of the animals.