The study investigated the performance of weaner rabbits fed diets primarily composed of maize husks, with and without enzyme supplementation. Maize husks are a fibrous byproduct often underutilized in animal feed due to their low digestibility. Enzyme supplementation aimed to enhance the digestibility of these diets by breaking down complex fibers. Results indicated that rabbits receiving enzyme supplementation showed improved growth performance compared to those without enzymes. This improvement suggests that enzymatic breakdown of maize husks can potentially enhance their nutritional value for weaner rabbits, highlighting the beneficial role of enzymes in optimizing the utilization of agricultural byproducts in animal nutrition.
Two experiments were conducted to assess the impact of maize husk-based diets on weaner rabbits, with and without enzyme supplementation.
In the first experiment, thirty-six weaner rabbits were allocated to six treatments, where maize husk replaced rice offal at inclusion levels of 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, and 20%. Each treatment included six rabbits, and each rabbit served as a replicate in a completely randomized design.
In the second experiment, twenty-four weaner rabbits were used in a similar randomized design with diets containing 20% maize husk. The treatments included enzyme supplementation at levels of 0.00%, 0.02%, 0.03%, and 0.04%.
Results indicated that maize husk significantly influenced (P<0.05) final body weight, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and feed cost per kg gain. However, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin level (Hb) were not significantly affected (P>0.05). Total protein (TP) levels were significantly affected by dietary maize husk.
Increasing levels of maize husk led to significant decreases (P<0.05) in crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, and nitrogen-free extract. Similarly, parameters such as thigh, skin, dressing percentage, slaughter weight, and dressed weight significantly (P<0.05) declined with higher levels of maize husk in the diet.
Among all parameters studied, rabbits fed diets containing 4% maize husk generally performed best, while those fed 20% maize husk showed the poorest results.
In the second experiment, rabbits fed diets supplemented with 0.02% enzyme exhibited superior performance in terms of average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kg weight gain, nutrient digestibility, and carcass evaluation. Performance tended to decrease with higher levels of enzyme supplementation.
Conclusively, weaner rabbits tolerated up to 4% maize husk in their diets effectively. However, inclusion levels could be increased up to 20% if supplemented with 0.02% enzyme to optimize performance.
Performance Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Maize Husk Based Diets With And Without Enzyme Supplementation. (n.d.). UniTopics. https://www.unitopics.com/project/material/performance-of-weaner-rabbits-fed-maize-husk-based-diets-with-and-without-enzyme-supplementation/
“Performance Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Maize Husk Based Diets With And Without Enzyme Supplementation.” UniTopics, https://www.unitopics.com/project/material/performance-of-weaner-rabbits-fed-maize-husk-based-diets-with-and-without-enzyme-supplementation/. Accessed 21 November 2024.
“Performance Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Maize Husk Based Diets With And Without Enzyme Supplementation.” UniTopics, Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.unitopics.com/project/material/performance-of-weaner-rabbits-fed-maize-husk-based-diets-with-and-without-enzyme-supplementation/
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Rabbit production is a growing sector due to the high demand for meat. Weaner rabbits, particularly, require balanced nutrition for optimal growth and health. Maize husks, a byproduct of maize processing, are abundant and potentially valuable in rabbit diets due to their fiber content. However, their nutritional value is limited, primarily due to high fiber and low digestibility. Enzyme supplementation has been explored as a way to enhance the utilization of such fibrous feedstuffs. This study aims to evaluate the performance of weaner rabbits fed maize husk-based diets with and without enzyme supplementation.
Nutritional Composition of Maize Husks
Maize husks are primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other indigestible components. These fibrous materials contribute to the bulk of the husks but provide minimal nutritional value to rabbits without proper enzymatic breakdown. Enzyme supplementation, particularly with cellulases and xylanases, aims to degrade these complex polysaccharides into simpler sugars and increase nutrient availability.
Effects of Enzyme Supplementation
Enzyme supplementation has been shown to improve the digestibility of fibrous diets in rabbits. Cellulases break down cellulose into glucose, while xylanases target hemicellulose, releasing xylose. This breakdown enhances nutrient absorption and utilization, potentially improving growth rates and feed efficiency in rabbits.
Experimental Design
The study involved dividing weaner rabbits into groups fed different diets:
- Control Group: Maize husk-based diet without enzyme supplementation.
- Experimental Group: Maize husk-based diet with enzyme supplementation.
Each group’s performance was monitored over a specified period, measuring parameters such as growth rate, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The rabbits’ health status and any observable digestive issues were also noted throughout the study.
Performance Results
The results indicated significant differences between the two groups. Rabbits fed the enzyme-supplemented diet showed:
- Improved Growth Rate: Enhanced digestion and absorption of nutrients contributed to higher growth rates compared to the control group.
- Better Feed Efficiency: Lower FCR values indicated that rabbits utilized the feed more efficiently when enzymes were added to the diet.
- Healthier Digestive Systems: Reduced incidences of digestive disorders were observed in the group receiving enzyme supplementation, indicating better gastrointestinal health.
Discussion
The findings suggest that enzyme supplementation can effectively enhance the utilization of maize husk-based diets in weaner rabbits. By improving digestibility and nutrient absorption, enzymes contribute to better growth performance and feed efficiency. These benefits are crucial for economic rabbit production, as they can potentially reduce feed costs and improve overall productivity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, supplementing maize husk-based diets with enzymes significantly improves the performance of weaner rabbits. The enhanced digestibility and nutrient utilization translate into better growth rates, improved feed efficiency, and overall healthier rabbits. Further research could explore optimal enzyme dosages and combinations to maximize these benefits and ensure sustainable rabbit production practices. Integrating enzymes into rabbit diets could be a practical strategy to utilize agricultural byproducts effectively while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and productivity.