GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEANER RABBITS FED WITH DIETS CONTAINING FERMENTED SHREDDED WASTE

Rising costs of conventional feed ingredients such as maize, wheat offal, and groundnut cake have constrained smallholder rabbit production in Nigeria, necessitating alternative, low-cost sources of dietary fibre. This study evaluated the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and economic implications of replacing conventional fibre with fermented shredded waste paper meal (FSWPM) in weaner rabbit diets. Twelve weaner rabbits (6–8 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: T₁ (0% FSWPM, control), T₂ (10% FSWPM), T₃ (20% FSWPM), and T₄ (30% FSWPM), with three rabbits per treatment, in a Completely Randomized Block Design. The feeding trial lasted for 8 weeks, during which growth parameters, apparent nutrient digestibility, and cost–benefit indices were recorded. Results showed that average daily feed intake (ADFI) was highest in T₁ (74.60 ± 0.92 g) and T₃ (74.33 ± 14.18 g), moderate in T₂ (68.14 ± 8.38 g), and lowest in T₄ (44.99 ± 0.18 g). Average daily weight gain (ADWG) followed a similar trend: T₁ (15.62 ± 1.19 g) > T₂ (12.85 ± 0.73 g) ≈ T₃ (12.24 ± 0.86 g) > T₄ (9.33 ± 0.12 g). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) values were 4.84 ± 0.45, 5.30 ± 0.53, 6.10 ± 1.16, and 4.82 ± 0.08 for T₁–T₄, respectively. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was highest in T₄ (1.62 ± 0.03), indicating more efficient protein use despite lower weight gain. Crude protein digestibility was highest in T₂ (87.39 ± 1.26%) and T₁ (85.29 ± 1.56%) and lowest in T₄ (61.47 ± 6.94%). Crude fibre digestibility peaked in T₂ (94.61 ± 0.58%) and T₃ (89.84 ± 4.13%), while nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and dry matter digestibility were highest in T₁ (81.76 ± 1.87%) and T₃ (81.86 ± 7.38%), respectively. Economic evaluation showed feed cost was highest in T₁ (₦682.00) and lowest in T₄ (₦639.20). Weight gain ranged from 0.66 ± 0.0863 kg (T₁) to 0.39 ± 0.01 kg (T₄), and cost per kilogram of flesh gain was lowest in T₄ (₦3082.2 ± 92.80). The cost–benefit ratio ranged from 0.39 (T₄, most economical) to 0.50 (T₃, least economical). The study concluded that moderate inclusion of FSWPM (10–20%) in weaner rabbit diets can provide a viable, economical alternative fibre source without compromising growth performance or nutrient digestibility. Very high inclusion (30%) reduced feed intake, growth, and nutrient utilization, although it improved protein efficiency. It is recommended that FSWPM be properly processed to remove contaminants and included at 10– 20% in rabbit diets, and further research should explore long-term effects and alternative processing methods