Project Abstract

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of toasted Icicinia mani (Efik-isong) based diets on the performance of weaner rabbits. A total of 60 weaner rabbits were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups Control (basal diet), T1 (5% inclusion of toasted Icicinia mani), T2 (10% inclusion), and T3 (15% inclusion). The experiment lasted for 8 weeks, during which growth performance parameters such as feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and nutrient digestibility were measured. The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in all growth performance parameters among the dietary treatment groups. Rabbits fed diets with toasted Icicinia mani inclusion had higher feed intake, body weight gain, and nutrient digestibility compared to the control group. The group fed 10% toasted Icicinia mani (T2) had the best overall performance in terms of weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, blood parameters and carcass characteristics were also evaluated. Rabbits fed toasted Icicinia mani-based diets had higher levels of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and total protein compared to the control group. Additionally, there were no adverse effects on carcass characteristics such as dressing percentage and meat quality in rabbits fed the experimental diets. In conclusion, the inclusion of toasted Icicinia mani in weaner rabbit diets had a positive impact on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and carcass characteristics. The optimal inclusion level was found to be at 10%, resulting in improved growth rates and feed efficiency. Therefore, toasted Icicinia mani can be considered as a potential alternative feed ingredient for enhancing the performance of weaner rabbits. Keywords Icicinia mani, Efik-isong, weaner rabbits, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, carcass characteristics, feed efficiency.

Project Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTIONAnimal protein in most of the developing countries is not readily available to the populace due to the high cost of production faced by the livestock industry. This is largely due to the high cost of livestock feed. Feed contribute about 60% of the total cost of production. This is as a result of the unavailability and high cost of the conventional feedstuffs like maize and soybeans which is occasioned by the competition between man and livestock (Vander Zijpp 1997; Emenalon 2004). This made animal protein unaffordable by the masses in the developing nations and has given rise to many nutritional problems emanating from low consumption of animal protein.The world population is ever increasing. In the developing countries in particular, farmers are faced with the challenge of meeting the demand for food by the teeming population. According to Christopher et al 1997; Onimisi 2005, the ever increasing population in developing countries practically erodes increases in food production leaving no hope of ever having surplus grains to compound economically viable livestock feed.The long term growth of animal production in Nigeria is dependent on a better utilization of farm waste products which attract little or no monetary values (Terve, 1997). Therefore current research efforts in most developing countries are aimed at identifying potential feed sources that have little or no demand by humans that will be cheap and available for compounding livestock rations as it will remove the competition between man and livestock. Some of such potential feed materials that are been investigated include; by products from garri processing industry and wastes from Cattle ranches, abattoirs, and poultry houses (Alawa and Umunna 1993, Abudulmalik et al 1994).This research study is aimed at investigating a new potential feed material known as Icacinia mani, Efik-isong in Ibibio language. It is not used as feed by man. It is a tuber crop that grows wild and a good source of energy.1.1 OBJECTIVE OF STUDYTo determine the body weight performance of weaner rabbits fed diets in which dietary maize was partially replaced with toasted Efik-isong, Icacinia mani flour so processed. To determine the effect of the toasted Icacinia mani on haematolology and blood biochemistry of the weaner rabbit