J. Amin. Prod. Res. (2014) 26:20-32 20 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FEED INTAKE, WEIGHT GAIN, NUTRIENT INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF SUGARCANE PEEL DIETS. Adeosun, T.A, and Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G.T. Department of Agric. Sci. Ed., F.C.E (Tech.) Bichi, Nigeria. National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. ABSTRACT Twenty five growing rabbits of mixed breeds (New Zealand White x Chinchilla) and average weight of 894g were used in a seven week feeding trial. Five experimental diets were formulated in which sugarcane peels (SCP) was included at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% level to replace maize offal. The rabbits were balanced for weight and allotted to the treatments (n=5 rabbits/treatment) in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Regression analysis was conducted using feed intake and daily gain as dependent variables regressed against nutrient intake and digestibility (dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash, nitrogen free extract and acid detergent fibre). The results obtained showed that feed intake of the rabbits was better defined by the intake (R 2 =0.70, P<0.0002) and digestibility of all the nutrients (R 2 =0.50, P=0.02). Dry matter intake (R 2 =0.59, P<0.0001) and crude protein intake (R 2 =0.50, P<0.0001) were also good predictors of feed intake. Intake of all nutrients was a poor predictor of daily gain (R 2 =0.03, P<0.40). Dry matter intake gave better prediction of daily gain (R 2 =0.18, P=0.02) as well as crude protein intake (R 2 =0.17, P=0.03). Average daily gain was reasonably predicted by the digestibility of all the nutrients (R 2 =0.40, P=0.06). Regression of nutrient digestibility against daily gain shows dry matter digestibility (R 2 =0.33, P=0.005), acid detergent fibre digestibility (R 2 =0.39, P=0.002) and ether extract0zwww digestibility (R 2 =0.28, P=0.02) to be good predictors of daily gain. This suggests that sugarcane peel meal could be used to replace maize offal in rabbit diets as a non-conventional fibre source. Keywords: Regression equations, sugarcane peels, rabbit. INTRODUCTION The unprecedented increase in the cost of conventional ingredients used in compounding livestock feeds has necessitated intensive investigations into the use of agro-based industrial by-products. Nigeria produces large quantities of agricultural and agro-industrial by-products which are regarded as non-conventional feed sources (Oluokun and Olalokun, 1999). Among such agro by-products is sugarcane peels. The low availability of animal protein for human consumption in Nigeria could be attributed to stiff competition between man and animals for food/feed materials (especially energy and protein sources), particularly fast growing monogastric species like rabbits and poultry (Yashim et al., 2009). A way out of this deficiency is to embark on accelerated animal protein production from livestock species with short generation interval and high fecundity. The priority therefore, should be to rear animals with potential for quick income generation, high profit, short term capital investment and simple management skill requirement (Aduku and Olukosi, 1990). One of the high potential sources of animal protein, which has not been adequately explored in Nigeria, is the rabbit. Best known for high prolificacy, rabbits are herbivores, which efficiently convert fodders to food (Lebas et al., 1997). National Animal Production Research Institute Ahmadu Bello University P.M.B 1096, Shika-Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. japr@napri-ng.org www.naprijapr.org