Abstract:
This electronic document is a "live" template and already defines the components of your paper [title, text, heads, etc.] in its style sheet The effect of graded levels of alkali treated coffee pulp meal (ATCPM) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits was studied for the period of twelve weeks. Thirty-six (36) mixed breed and sexes' weaner rabbits of mean live weight of 534.50g were used for the trial. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing alkali treated coffee pulp meal (ATCPM) at 0%, 4%, 8% and 12% inclusion levels. Each of the treatments was replicated thrice. Feed and water were given adlibitum. The data collected include body weight and feed intake while the mean daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and cost of feed per kilogram body weight gain were calculated. At the end of the feeding trial, the rabbits were dressed and carcass information was also analysed for response to feed treatments. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in most of the parameters measured with rabbits fed 8% ATCPM. Best performance in terms of average daily live weight gain (22.22g), feed conversion ratio (4.47) and cost per kilogram body weight gain (?1017.80) was recorded on T3 diet. Results of carcass evaluation also revealed that T3 was better utilized as most of the values recorded were positively affected by the diet at that inclusion level. The best results were obtained in rabbits fed 8% ATCPM thus indicating that up to 8% ATCPM can be included in the diet of weaner rabbits without any deleterious effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics.
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