Investigating the Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Ficus Exasperata Oil on the Growth Performance, Apparent Digestibility and Nitrogen Utilization of Weaner Rabbits

Alagbe John Olujimi

doi:10.59890/ijaamr.v3i9.108

Authors

Alagbe John Olujimi Gandhi College of Agriculture, Rajasthan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijaamr.v3i9.108

Keywords:

Ficus Exasperata Oil, Growth, Nutrient Retention, Nutrient Utilization, Rabbits

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Ficus exasperata oil on the growth performance, apparent digestibility and nitrogen utilization of weaner rabbits. Forty healthy weaned male rabbits of mixed breed with a mean body weight of 507 g (± 1.80 g) and an average age of 4 months were randomly assigned into four treatments (n=10 rabbits/treatment). Experimental treatments included: 1- control diet (without essential oil), 2- basal diet supplemented with 250 mg Ficus exasperata oil kg DM per day, 3- basal diet supplemented with 500 mg Ficus exasperata oil kg DM per day and 4- basal diet supplemented with 750 mg Ficus exasperata oil/ kg DM daily. Basal diet was compounded to meet the standard nutritional requirements for rabbits according to NRC recommendation. The experimental period was 60 days excluding 14 days’ acclimatization period. A completely randomized design was adopted and animals received fresh water ad libitum. Ficus exasperata oil supplementation significantly increased (p˂0.05) average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake as well as feed conversion ratio. Similarly, dietary supplementation of Ficus exasperata oil enhanced (p< 0.05) the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein and crude fibre. Ficus exasperata oil supplementation decreased faecal and urinary nitrogen and increased the concentrations (p < 0.05) of nitrogen intake and nitrogen retention. In conclusion, Ficus exasperata oil dietary supplementation at 750 mg/kg DM daily improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention of weaner rabbits without causing any deleterious effect on their health status

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