Nutritional Evaluation of Corn (zea mays) Germ Meal Based Diets in Broiler Rabbits
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Date
2011-06-25
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Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar
Abstract
A feeding trial experiment was conducted with an objective to assess the nutritive
value of corn germ meal (CGM) based diets in growing broiler rabbits. Twenty- four
weaned rabbits (4-5week old) were randomly allotted to three groups, comprising of
eight animals in each treatment group based on body weight. The experimental rabbits of
group 1 (T1) were fed composite diet containing groundnut cake (GNC) as major protein
supplement, while the two experimental groups T2 and T3 received composite diets
comprising of CGM at 10 and 20 % (w/w) to substitute 25 % and 50 % of GNC protein,
respectively. The experimental period lasted for eight weeks. The DM intake (g/h/d)
(82.13- T1, 80.48- T2 and 76.54- T3) did not differ significantly among rabbits on
different dietary regimen. The average daily gain (ADG) (g/h/d) was significantly (P ≤
0.05) higher for T2 group receiving 10 % CGM based diet (18.20) as compared to the
groups receiving GNC (T1- 12.08) or 20 % CGM (T3- 11.10) based diets. However, the
difference in ADG between T1 and T3 was non significant. The efficiency of feed
utilization for weight gain (g DM intake / g gain) (7.02 – T1, 4.8 - T2 and 6.94- T3) had
significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) for group T2 when compared with groups T1 and T3. No
significant difference was observed for the digestibility of the DM, OM, CP and EE.
However, significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) was observed between T1 and T3 for nitrogen
free extract (NFE) digestibility. Similarly, the percentage digestibility of the CF, ADF
and cellulose was comparable among different treatments. There was significantly (P ≤
0.05) higher NDF digestibility in T3 group receiving 20 % CGM based diet. Significant
difference (P ≤ 0.05) was also noticed for hemicellulose digestibility among T1 (67.06),
T2 (81.94) and T3 (83.86) groups. Thus, corn germ meal was found to be satisfactory
protein substitute for GNC to spare scarce and costly oil seed cakes for economical rabbit
production.
Description
PG, Thesis
Keywords
Nutritional Evaluation of Corn (Zea Mays) Germ Meal Based Diets in Broiler Rabbits