Effects of Composite Mango (Mangifera indica) Fruit Reject Meal on Growth Performance, Digestibility and Economics of Production of Rabbits

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of mango fruit reject meal on
growth performance, digestibility and economics of production of growing rabbits.
Mango fruit rejects were sliced such that the peel and pulp were together and the seed
discarded, sun dried until it attained about 10% moisture and milled to obtain mango
fruit reject meal (MFRM). The MFRM was sub-sampled and its proximate
composition determined. Five diets were formulated which contained 0, 5, 10, 15 and
20% MFRM and twenty weaned rabbits of mixed sex and breed were fed the diets for
70 days. Mean daily feed intake, weight gain, FCR, and final live weights measured
were not significantly affected (P>0.05). Digestibility of nutrients was also similar
(P>0.05) across the treatment groups. Inclusion of MFRM however significantly
reduced (P<0.05) the cost per kg weight gain, with the rabbit group fed diet
containing 20% MFRM being significantly (P<0.05) less costly. The profit was also
significantly better at 20% MFRM. It was concluded that MFRM is a good feedstuff
in rabbit diets and should be used. It was suggested that higher levels should be
investigated to determine the optimum level of MFRM in rabbit diets to maximize
profit.