Growth Performance, Blood Profile, and Feed Cost Analysis of Using Dried Watermelon Rinds in Rabbit Diets

Abstract

The competition between humans and livestock animals for maize has led to recent research on the use of unconventional feed ingredients, such as dried watermelon rinds, in livestock feed. Eighty (80) crossbred, unsexed weaner rabbits with a mean weight of 630 g were used to assess the growth performance, blood parameters and evaluate the cost benefits of using dried watermelon rinds (DWMR) as a replacement for maize in weaner rabbits' diet. They were allocated on weight equalization basis into 4 treatments (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) of DWMR inclusion levels, representing T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively, and further divided into 5 replicates of 4 rabbits. The study lasted for 8 weeks, and data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance in a Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that rabbits fed diet containing 5% DWMR had the highest (p<0.05) final body weight and average daily weight gain (1391.25 g and 13.61 g, respectively). Feed cost (N/kg) declined from N559.00 on diet 1 to N464.00 on diet 4. Highest cost saving of N292.75 was obtained on diet 2 (5% DWMR). Highest (p<0.05) RBC (6.70x1012/L) was observed in rabbits fed the control diet (0% DWMR), while the least value (6.00x1012/L) was recorded in rabbits fed 15% DWMR diet. Serum biochemical analysis indicated that the total protein, albumin and globulin increased significantly in rabbits fed diet containing DWMR compared to those on the control; rabbits on 0% DWMR recorded the least values (4.30 g/dl, 2.5 g/dl and 1.75 g/dl, respectively).. The study concluded that dried watermelon rinds can be included at 5% in the diet of weaner rabbits to enhance growth, increase profitability and better economic returns.