COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF INCLUSION OF EXOGENOUS ENZYME IN MAIZE COB BASED RABBIT DIETS

A study was conducted with thirty weaner rabbit at 6 weeks of age and weighing averagely 500g. Five (5) experimental iso nitrogenous diets were formulated with graded inclusion levels of maize cob meal (MCM) at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent level of inclusion.  A cock tail enzyme Zymos N ® , was included in all the treatment diets according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. The total feed intake declined (P<0.05) significantly as level of MCM inclusion increased across the dietary treatments, from 3241.5g at 10% MCM to 2065.0g at 50% MCM inclusion level. Nutrient intake significantly (P<0.05) decline across the dietary treatments. The crude fibre intake (CFI) of dietary treatment with 10 and 20%MCM (20.73 and 20. 405g/d) are statistically similar and higher, followed by dietary treatment with 30 and 40%MCM and the least CFI was observed in treatment with 50% MCM, which is statistically lower. Dry matter intake (DMI), Organic matter intake (OMI), and Crude protein intake (CPI) follow similar pattern, which decline significantly (P<0.05) across the dietary treatment. Cost benefit analysis show a percent cost reduction with increase in the MCM inclusion level. At 20% MCM inclusion, 5.01% cost reduction was observed, while at 50% inclusion level, 25.71% cost reduction was incurred. Apparent profit was highest in rabbits fed 20% MCM based diet ( N 27.49), which declined with increase in MCM inclusion. At 50% inclusion level, N 11.76 profits was accrued, which is twofold lower than the values obtained indiets with10 and 20% MCM diets. From the result of this study, MCM should not be included above 20% with enzyme supplementation according to the manufacturer’s recommendation for optimum cost benefit.