Abstract
The temperature – humidity index (THI), a combination of ambient temperature and relative humidity has been used over time to assess levels of comfort and stress zones of animals. This study was conducted to assess the influence of cassava peel meal on the temperature-humidity index of rabbits. Sixty (60) crossed bred rabbits (30 bucks and 30 does) were evaluated to determine their temperature –humidity index (THI). Cassava peel properly dried for 6-7 days in the sun was used as a substitute for maize based diets. Five experimental diets were formulated containing different levels of cassava peel meal as a replacement for maize, at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The experiment was a laid out as a completely randomized design with 12 rabbits per replicate and the feeding trial lasted for nine weeks. Daily ambient temperature and relative humidity were taken using a digital thermometer. The thermometer was an LCD Digital Thermo-Hygrometer, Model MT-30 having radar for inside/outside temperature and relative humidity displayed simultaneously all through the duration of the research. The rectal temperatures of each of the rabbits were recorded two times weekly using a standardized clinical thermometer. The data generated was analyzed using a one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely random design. The result obtained in the study indicated rectal temperature between 38.53ᵒC and 38.67ᵒC, while the mean indoor and outdoor temperatures were 28.30ᵒ C and 29.98ᵒC respectively and the relative humidity of the rabbitry was 39.3ᵒC. THI was recorded as 26.44, indicating an absence of heat stress. The study concluded that feeding sun dried cassava peel meal as a replacement for maize to rabbits will not predispose rabbits to heat stress.