Open Access Dwarf Napier Grass on Intake, Growth and Carcass Composition of Rabbits

Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci.

Vol. 2, No. 1: 1-8 May 2020
pISSN 2621-9182 eISSN 2621-9190

Effect of Substituting Concentrate with Dwarf Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) on

Intake, Growth and Carcass Composition of Rabbits

Mohammad Mijanur Rahman1,2,*, Mastura Nazirah Binti Mustapher1, Khairiyah Binti Mat1,2, Renny
Fatmyah Utamy3, and Maryana Mohamad Nor 1,2
1
Faculty of Agro Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan,
Malaysia
2
Institute of Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kelantan,
Malaysia
3
Faculty of Animal Science, University of Hasanuddin, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 10, Makassar
90245, Indonesia

*Corresponding author:E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Dwarf Napier grass (Pennisetumpurpureum) is considered to be more suitable as forage

for ruminants due to its high yield and nutritive value, but there is limited research on rabbits.
Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of replacing concentrate with dwarf
Napier grass on intake, growth performance and carcass composition of growing rabbits. Twelve
growing rabbits were randomly distributed into three dietary groups in a completely randomized
design: (i) concentrate feed ad libitum as control diet (T1), (ii) half of the control diet plus dwarf
Napier grass ad libitum(T2), and (iii) quarter of the control diet plus dwarf Napier grass ad
libitum (T3). The results showed that diets had a significant (p<0.05) effect on intake, growth
performance and some non-carcass components. Rabbits fed T3 diet showed significantly
(p<0.05) lower total DM intake than those fed T1 and T2 diets. Similarly, rabbits fed T3 diet
showed significantly (p<0.05) lower total weight gain and daily weight gain than those fed T1
diet, but the respective values of those fed T2 diet were non-significantly different from those fed
T1 and T3 diets. There was significant effect on weights of meat with bone, fat, pelt, head and
kidney by the diets, whereas weights of most of the non-carcass components were similar among
the groups. In conclusion, diet consisting of half of the concentrate and dwarf Napier grass ad
libitum is recommended to be used as it may reduce the feed cost compared to diet consisting of
the concentrate alone.
Keywords: Carcass composition, dwarf Napier grass, growth performance, intake, rabbit.

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, rabbit farming has become increasingly popularvin smallholder farmers as an

alternative source of animal protein (Owoleke et al. 2016). Smallholder farmers get faster
benefits from it compared to other farming systems (e.g., cattle farming), because rabbits require

Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci. 2(1): 1-81

low investment, show short generation interval and they are able to consume forage grasses. For
a profitable rabbit production, feed is considered as one of the most important inputs. When
rabbit received feeds containing required amount of energy and protein, better quality meat was
obtained as healthy diet for human consumption. Production of high quality meat at lower price
is achievable when locally available forage plants are used in rabbit’s diet.
Many forages can be used in rabbit’s ration formulation by replacing the costly protein
sources (Iyeghe-Erakpotobor et al. 2006; Iyeghe-Erakpotobor 2007; Safwat et al. 2014). It
depends on the forages’ chemical composition, viability, palatability and anti-nutritional factors.
Rabbits fed leaves of browse plants and concentrate showed better performance than rabbits fed
tropical grass with concentrate as reported by Amata and Okorodudu (2016).
Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is presently the most attractive fodder grass in
ruminant animal production system, and has a number of positive characters; including high
yield, drought tolerance and regrowth ability (Fukagawa and Ishii 2018). There are two cultivars,
namely tall and dwarf, which differ in yield and nutritive quality. Dwarf variety exhibits higher
nutritive values than the normal variety; e.g., crude protein 11.5-12.1% vs. 9.8-10.6%
respectively (Halim et al. 2013; Rahman et al. 2019). Furthermore, yield of dwarf Napier grass is
comparable toother tropical grasses as reported by Halim et al. (2013).
However, there is little information about the effect of dwarf Napier grass on rabbit
performance; thus, it is important to know the feeding effect of dwarf Napier grass with
concentrate supplementation that can support the maintenance and growth of rabbit. Therefore,
this study was conducted to assess the feeding effect of replacement of concentrate with dwarf
Napier grass on intake, growth and carcass composition of rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental Site and Napier Grass Production

This study was carried out in rabbit house located at Agro Techno Park, Universiti
Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). All animal handling and procedures during feeding experiment was
approved by the UMK Animal Care and Use Ethics Committee (UMK/FIAT/ACUE/UG1/2018).
The average daily temperature and monthly rainfall were 22℃ and 90.3 mm during the
experimental period (April – July 2018).Dwarf Napier grass was established at the Experimental
field of Agro Techno Park, UMK by applying standard level of fertilizer. Plants grown in plot
was divided into four sub-plots so that plants maturity was controlled by cutting at different
times in order to obtain similar quality.

Experimental Design and Feeding Trial

On arrival, twelveunsexed mixed breed rabbits (about 2 months old) with an average
initial body weight (BW) of 769.0 g were given concentrate (commercial pelleted compound
feed) ad libitum and this process was continued for 10 days as adjustment period. Each rabbit
was housed in a cage (45 cm × 40 cm ×50 cm) with free access of water. The weight of daily
consumed concentrate was recorded to know the average daily concentrate intake for each rabbit.
After the adjustment period, all rabbits were randomly distributed into three dietary groups in a
completely randmised design: (i) concentrate feed ad libitum as control diet (T1), (ii) half of the
control diet plus dwarf Napier grass ad libitum (T2), and (iii) quarter of the control diet plus
dwarf Napier grass ad libitum (T3).

2 Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci.2(1): 1-8

 Dwarf Napier Grass on Intake, Growth and Carcass Composition of Rabbits

Fresh Napier grass was harvested daily at 45-60 days of plant maturity and given to the
rabbits of T2 and T3 groups on ad libitum basis. Grass and concentrate were fed separately and
given inside the cage twice a day (9:00 am and 4:00 pm). Amount of concentrate supply was
increased for T2 and T3 groups with the increasing rate of T1 group’s feed intake. After the
adjustment period, the experiment was lasted for 84 days. Equipment inclduing cage, feeder and
waterer were cleaned daily. The rabbits and concentrate were purchased from local supplier,
while Napier grass was grown at the Experimental field of Agro Techno Park, UMK. Daily feed
offered and refusals were recorded to estimate feed intake. Samples of feed offered and refusals
were taken once a week for determination of dry weight. Rabbits were weighed at beginning of
the experiment, at 1-week interval and at the end of the experiment; the weights were always
measured before being fed in the morning.
At the end, rabbits from each treatment were fasted overnight, weighed and slaughtered
for carcass evaluation.

Chemical Analysis

Representative samples of concentrate and Napier grass were dried in an oven at 70°C for
48 h and ground to pass a 1.0 mm sieve for evaluation of chemical composition. Ground samples
were analyzed for dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF) and ash
contents according to AOAC method (2005). Organic matter (OM) was estimated by subtracting
the ash content from 100. Crude protein (CP) content was calculated as N×6.25.

Statistical Analysis

Data on feed intake and BW gain were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with SPSS
software (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) as a completely randomized design with
repeated measures. Tukey test was used to test the significant differences among treatment
means when p<0.05.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The proximate composition of concentrate and Napier grass are shown in Table 1. The
concentrate showed higher values of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP)
and ether extract (EE) than the respective values of Napier grass, whereas Napier grass showed
higher values of CF and ash than concentrate. The CP value of dwarf Napier grass in this study is
within the range of reported values (Halim et al. 2013; Rahman et al. 2019).
Table 1.Chemical composition (%) of the feed ingredients
Nutrients Concentrate Napier grass
DM 87.0 22.8
OM 96.5 89.8
CP 16.0 11.0
EE 2.0 1.5
CF 18.0 25.62
Ash 3.5 10.2
DM, dry matter; OM, organic matter; CP, crude proteiun; EE, ether extract; CF, crude fibre.

Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci. 2(1): 1-83

 The decrease ininclusion levels of the concentrate significantly (p<0.05) influenced on
the DM intakes of grass, concentrate and total (grass and concentrate) (Table 2). Rabbits fed T3
diet showed significantly (p<0.05) higher grass intake than those fed T2 diet; whereas, no change
was detected for those fed T1 diet consisting solely of concentrate. Due to varied amount of
concentrate among the treatments, rabbits fed T1 diet showed significantly (p<0.05) higher
concentrate intake followed by those fed T2 and T3 diets. Total intake was similar for the T1 and
T2 diets, but significantly (p<0.05) lower for T3 diet.
Actually, dwarf Napier grass is not as palatable as concentrate; hence, those fed T3 diet
had the lowest total intake. This indicates that rabbits has difficulty in adequately adjusting to
intake with very low level of concentrate, i.e. T3 diet. Whereas, similar total intake was observed
for rabbits fed T1 and T2 diets; like those fed T1 diet, rabbits may surprisingly have the the
ability to gain adequate nutrient from T2 diet despite consisting of only 50% concentrate. The
presence of soluble oxalate in dwarf Napier grass may one possible factor, which could be
contributing to this result for T3 diet. Dwarf Napier grass can accumulate soulble oxalate, which
can cause health problems to rabbits such as urolithiasis or hypocalcaemia (Rahman et al. 2013).
The anti-nutrinets in the diet can also reduce palatability and/or reduce digestibility of the feed
(Kaitho et al. 1998). This result indicated that due to oxalate, dwarf Napier grass cannot be used
with very low concentrate supplementation. This is also in agreement with the findings of
Mmereole et al. (2011) who suggested that rabbits showed good performance when fed
concentrate mixed with grass.
The average feed intake (55.1-70.1 g) observed in this study was higher than those
reported by Ikyume et al. (2019), which could be attributed due to the higher palatability of
dwarf Napier grass in this study compared to the palability of grass or legume used in the
previous study of Ikyume et al. (2019). In contrast, average daily intake of rabbits in this study
was much lower than the findings of Amata and Okorodudu (2016) who reported that average
daily intake of rabbits fed Napier grass was significantly (p<0.05) higher (222.3 g) followed by
those fed Panicummaximum (167.1 g), Myrianthus arboreus(110.3 g) and Gmelina arborea
(89.1 g); when concentrate and forage were fed in a ratio of 1:2. This result may be attributed
due to the use of different breed in their experiment. In another study, Iyeghe-Erakpotobor and
Muhammad (2008) observed that intakes of Napier grass was higher than those of Sorghum
almum, Pennisetum pedicellatum and Brachiaria decumbens, when rabbits were fed grass with
50 g concentrate.
Table 2.Average daily feed intake and weight gain of rabbits fed the experimental diets
Levels of concentrate supplement, % DM
Parameter (mean value ± standard deviation)
100 (T1) 50 (T2) 25 (T3)
Intake, g/d
Grass - 36.5a±19.5 38.3b±13.7
Concentrate 67.1a±18.4 33.6b±3.4 16.8c±1.7
a a
Total 67.1 ±18.4 70.1 ±18.4 55.1b±13.1
Weight, g
Initial 875.7±225.5 727.3±63.3 703.7±86.0
Final 1552.0a±127.1 1267.3b±71.7 1028.0c±52.1
Total gain 676.3a±107.5 540.0ab±132.6 324.3b±34.8
a ab
Daily gain 8.0 ±1.3 6.4 ±1.6 3.8b±0.4
a,b,c
Means with different superscripts within the same row differ significantly (p<0.05).

4 Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci.2(1): 1-8

 Dwarf Napier Grass on Intake, Growth and Carcass Composition of Rabbits

Weekly BW of rabbits fed diets containing different levels of concentrate supplementis

shown in Figure 1. Final weight, total weight gain and average daily weight gain differed
significantly (p<0.05) among the dietary groups. Rabbits fed T1 diet showed significantly
(p<0.05) higher final BW followed by those fed T2 and T3 diets. Rabbits fed T1 diet showed
significantly (p<0.05) higher total BW gain and daily BW gain than those fed T3 diet, whereas
no difference (p>0.05) was observed between those fed T2 and T3 diets. Daily weight gain
followed a similar pattern as total weight gain. Weight gain showed a linear decrease with
decrease in concentrate levels (Table 2). The average daily weight gain (6.4 g) of rabbits fed T2
diet is similar to the findings of Ogunsipe et al. (2014) who reproted that Rabbits fed Napier
grass with 30 g concentrate showed 7.1 g daily weight gain. However, weight gains of 3.8-8.0 g
obtained in this study are lower than those (8.53-17.22 g) reported by Onyimonyi and Ene (2003)
with Panicum maximum and concentrate. This could probably be attributed to the different
forage species as opposed to dwarf Napier grass used in this study. Daily weight gains of 3.8-6.4
g obtained for the T2 and T3 diets are also lower than 8.86 g obtained by Iyeghe-Erakpotobor et
al. (2003) for growing rabbits fed rabbit meal and chloris hay. This indicates that type and
quality of forage fed to rabbits have an effect on their growth rate. Amata and Okorodudu (2016)
observed that rabbits fed with Napier grass gained the highest weight compared to rabbits fed
with either Panicum maximum, Myrianthus arboreus or Gmelina arborea.
Table 3. Carcass composition of rabbits fed the experimental diets
Levels of concentrate supplement, % DM
Weight (g) SEM P-value
100 (T1) 50 (T2) 25 (T3)
Pre-slaughter
Fasting live 1581.7a 1254.3b 1022.3c 24.9 0.000
Post-slaughter
Meat with bone 891.7a 708.3b 556.7c 17.3 0.000
Fat 64.6a 23.9ab 0.3b 8.2 0.048
a a b
Pelt 146.7 118.3 85.0 4.4 0.003
Head 132.8a 117.3ab 108.3b 3.1 0.045
a a b
Kidney 8.0 7.5 6.1 0.2 0.012
Feet 35.8 32.7 32.0 0.6 0.097
Spleen 0.5 0.9 0.5 0.1 0.256
Lungs 5.7 5.1 3.9 0.3 0.132
Heart 3.7 3.2 2.9 0.1 0.128
Liver 34.2 32.8 26.2 1.3 0.095
Stomach 53.4 44.4 51.4 1.6 0.129
Intestine 128.3 144.9 117.4 6.6 0.303
abc
Means with different superscripts in a row differ significantly (p<0.05).
Weights of carcass and non-carcass components of rabbits are shown in Table 3. Rabbits
fed T1 diet showed higher (p<0.05) weight of meat with bone followed by those fed T2 and T3
diets. The fat weight was higher (p<0.05) in rabbits fed T1 diet than the value of those fed T3
diet, but no difference (p>0.05) was observed between those fed T1 and T2 diets, or between T2
and T3 diets. Non-carcass component weights did not differ (p>0.05) among the diets, except for
weights of pelt and kidney which were higher for rabbits fed T1 and T2 diets than those fed T3
diet. This result is similar to the findings of Ogunsipe et al. (2014) who observed non-significant
weights of lungs, kidney, heart and pancreas in rabbits fed sorghum offal-based diets. The head

Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci. 2(1): 1-85

weight was also higher (p<0.05) in rabbits fed T1 diet than those fed T3 diet, whereas no
difference (p>0.05) was observed between those fed T2 and T3 diets, or between those fed T1
and T2 diets.
The above findings could be attributed as a result of the differences of final BW, total
BW gain and daily BW gain by the dietary groups. However, the reason behind non-significant
effect on most of the weights of non-carcass components (e.g., feet, spleen, lungs, heart, liver,
stomach and intestine) may be explained that the physiological and anatomical functions of these
organs were not affected by the experimental treatments.The fact that the kidney weights of
rabbits on T3 is significantly (p<0.05) lower than rabbits fed T1 and T2 diet, which implies the
unsafety of the dwarf Napier grass with low concentrate to the health of the rabbits. Weights of
the liver, lungs, kidneys and heart in this study are in line with the findings of Oloruntola et al.
(2015) who observed that rabbits fed Napier grass showed 37.4 g heart, 6.3 g lungs, 7.6 g
kidneys and 3.5 g heart. Similar to current study, significant difference of kidneys weight was
observed by Oloruntola et al. (2015).

2000
T1

1750 T2

T3
1500
Body weight (g/head)

1250

1000

750

500
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Week

Figure 1. Weekly body weight of experimental rabbits fed diets containing different levels of
concentrate supplement. Error bars indicate standard deviation.

CONCLUSION

T1 (solely concentrate) and T2 diets (half of the concentrate + dwarf Napier grass ad
libitum) showed almost similar results which led to better rabbit performance. It is recommended
for diet like T2 diet to be used as it may reduce the feed cost compared to solely concentrate diet.
Even though rabbits are good forage eaters, rabbits fed dwarf Napier grass ad libitum with low
concentrate level like T3 diet (25% concentrate + dwarf Napier grass ad libitum) exhibits lower
intake and growth performance than those fed solely concentrate. Not to mention that diet
containing dwarf Napier grass ad libitum with 25% concentrate instead of with 50% concentrate
can also be an alternative, but it is less suggested because lower rate of intake and BW gain may
occur.

6 Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci.2(1): 1-8

 Dwarf Napier Grass on Intake, Growth and Carcass Composition of Rabbits

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A sincere thanks to all the laboratory assistance who always give time in explaining all
the doubts regarding to laboratory works and check for me the instruments and chemicals to use
in laboratory. We also thank Nurul Najihah Binti Abdul Rozab and staffs of Agro Techno Park,
UMK for excellent field assistance. This research work was supported by internal grant
(R/SGJP/A07.00/01597A/001/2018/000448) of the UMK.

REFERENCES

Amata, I.A. andE.O. Okorodudu. 2016. Comparative evaluation of the growth performance and
feed intake of weaned rabbits fed tropical grasses and selected forage leaves. IJRSAS.
2(2): 14–18.
AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 2005. Official methods of analysis. 18th
Edn. AOAC International, Arlington, VA, USA.
Fukagawa, S. andY. Ishii. 2018. Grassland establishment of dwarf napiergrass (Pennisetum
purpureum schumach) by planting of cuttings in the winter season. Agronomy 8(12): 1–
10.
Halim, R.A.,S. Shampazuraini,and A. B. Idris. 2013. Yield and nutritive quality of nine Napier
grass varieties in Malaysia. Mal. J. Anim. Sci. 16(2):37−44.
Ikyume, T.T., I. E. Ogu,I. A. Okwori, andD. T. Shaahu.2019. Growth performance and apparent
nutrient digestibility of grower rabbits fed combinations of concentrate with grass and/or
legume forage. J. Multidis. Res. Rev. 1(1): 41–45.
Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G.T., R. Aliyu,andJ. Uguru.2003. Combinations of concentrate, grass and
other forage mixtures for feeding grower rabbits. IN: Nigerian livestock: A goldmine for
economic growth and food security. Eds: AA Taiwo, AM Raji, JU Ogbonna, EA
Adebowale. Proc. 28th Ann. Conf. NSAP. Institute of Agricultural Research and
Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan, Nigeria. 16-20 March 2003. Pp. 363–
366.
Iyeghe-Erakpotobor,G.T., C. U. Osuhor, and T. S. Olugbemi. 2006. Performance and
digestibility of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of soybean cheese waste/maize offal diet
and brachiaria grass hay. Afr. J. Biotechnol.5(17): 1579–1583.
Iyeghe-Erakpotobor,G. T. 2007. Effect of concentrate and forage type on performance and
digestibility of growing rabbits under sub-humid tropical conditions. Asian J. Anim. Vet.
Adv. 2(3): 125–132.
Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G.T. and I. R. Muhammad. 2008. Intake of tropical grass, legume and
legume-grass mixtures by rabbits. Trop. Grasslands 42: 112–119.
Kaitho, R.J., N. N. Umunna, I. V. Nsahlai, S. Tamminga, and J. Van Bruchen. 1998. Utilization
of browse supplements with varying tannin levels by Ethiopian Menz sheep. 1. Intake,
digestibility and live weight changes. Agroforest. Syst. 39: 145–159.
Mmereole, F.U.C., J. O. Egoh, and J. I. Obinne. 2011. Growth performance and cost analysis of
weaner rabbits fed varying dietary levels of crude protein supplements with Tridax
procumbens. Pak. J. Nutr. 10(2): 120–123.
Ogunsipe, M.H., J. O. Agbede, and O. A. Adedeji. 2014. Performance response, carcass
evaluation and economic benefit of rabbits fed sorghum offal-based diets. AJFAND. 14:
8585–8601.

Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci. 2(1): 1-87

Oloruntola, O.D., O. T. Daramola, and S. O. Omoniyi. 2015. Effect of forages on performance,
carcass cuts and haematological profile of weaner rabbits. Arch. Zootec. 64 (245): 87–92.
Onyimonyi, A.E. and J. C. Ene.2003. Performance of growing rabbits fed Panicum maximum
with graded levels of a concentrate diet. In: Sustainable livestock productivity and
national development the holistic approach.Eds. EA Olatunji, BA. Ayanwale, EL
Shiawoya, A Aremu Proc. 8th Ann. Conf., Anim. Sci. Ass. of Nig. (ASAN), Sept. 1518,
2003, Federal Univ. of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. pp. 73–75.
Owoleke, O.E., B. K. Tanimomo, T. Z. Adama, H. O. Akanya, I. C. Alemede, M.
Abdulrahaman, and V. O. Kolawole. 2016. Feed evaluation and growth performance of
rabbits fed diets containing different forages. Vom J. Vet. Sci. 11(1):101–111.
Rahman, M.M., R. B. Abdullah, andW. E. Wan Khadijah. 2013. A review of oxalate poisoning
in domestic animals: Tolerance and performance aspects. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim.
Nutr.97: 605–614.
Rahman, M.M., N. E. Syafieqa, N. A. B. M. Diah, T. Gondo, R. I. A. B. R. Khalif, and R.
Akashi. 2019. Growth characteristics, biomass yield and mineral concentrations in seven
varieties of Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) at establishment in Kelantan, Malaysia.
Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales 7(5):538–543.
Safwat, A.M., L. Sarmiento-Franco, R. H. Santos-Ricalde, and D. Nieves. 2014. Determination
of tropical forage preferences using two offering methods in rabbits. Asian-Australasian J.
Anim. Sci.27(4): 524–529.

8 Rahman et al./Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci.2(1): 1-8