CARCASS AND ORGAN CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWER RABBIT FED HYDROPONICALLY GROWN FODDERS

This study was conducted to assess the carcass and organ characteristics of grower rabbits fed hydroponically grown fodders. The hydroponically grown fodder comprises of cereals namely: maize (Zea mays), millet (Pennisetum glaucum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolar) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), which were subjected to soaking durations of 90 minutes, respectively and 30 minutes for millet in hydroponic trials, which were used as experimental diets in the feeding trials. The fodders were offered to the experimental animals at 4% of their body weight in a trial that lasted for 8 weeks. The chemical composition of the diets was carried out following standard laboratory procedures and the carcass characteristics were carried out according to recommended standard procedures. Results indicated a reduction (p<0.05) in the dry matter and ether extract, composition while a significant (p<0.05) increase in hydroponically grown sorghum was observed in crude protein. The dressing percentage and edibles increased (p<0.05) significantly. The study concluded that the nutritive values of hydroponically grown sorghum was optimal for growth, but no difference on the growth of some visceral organs like liver, heart and lung.