Performance and Economics of Production of Growing Rabbits fed Brewers’ Spent Grain based-Diets

This study was conducted to investigate the replacement of wheat bran with brewers’ spent grain on growth response of rabbit. Twenty-five 12-16 week-old rabbits of mixed sexes and average weight of 1.07 kg were used and randomly allotted into five treatments D0, D25, D50, D75 and D100 of five rabbits each. Diets D0, D25, D50, D75 and D100 contained 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% spent grain replacement of wheat bran, respectively. The study lasted 72 days and was a completely randomized block design. Rabbits in each diet were fed and served water ad libitum. Growth characteristics, carcass traits and economics of production were determined. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and means compared for significant difference. Diets had no significant (P ˃ 0.05) effects on final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein intake and protein efficiency ratio. There were no significant (P ˃ 0.05) effect of diets on carcass prime cuts expressed as % dressed weight except hindlimb (P ˂ 0.05), and caecum weight expressed as % fasted live weight of caecum (P ˂ 0.05). The increased level of brewers’ grain in the diet cost a negative non-significant correlation (r= -0.01, P ˃ 0.05) feed cost and a positive non-significant correlation (r =0.41, P ˃ 0.05) benefit cost. In conclusion, incorporation of brewer’s spent grains in the diets resulted in reduction in feed cost and enhanced economic returns, and can be used at 100% replacement for wheat bran in growing rabbit diet.

Keywords: Brewers’ Grain, Rabbit Performance, Economics.