Evaluation of some natural additives as growth enhancers in rabbits diets
Abstract: Seventy two weanling New Zealand White rabbits averaging 753.7 g body weight age were randomly distributed to six groups (12 each). First group was fed the basal diet (control). The other groups were fed the control diet supplemented with either 0.2% Curcuma longa, 0.2% lemon extract, 0.2% citric acid, 0.2% Curcuma longa + 0.2% lemon extract or 0.2% Curcuma longa + 0.2% citric acid. The experimental period extended for 8 weeks. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 0.2% Curcuma longa + 0.2% citric acid showed the highest live body weight and dressing percentage. The differences in digestibility coefficients between the experimental groups were not significant. The experimental additives significantly (P<0.05) decreased total count of harmful microorganisms (Escherchia coli, Salmonella and Colstredium spp) in caecum. The blood constituents differed significantly (P<0.05) between groups and the total cholesterol decreased with all dietary supplementations. It could be concluded that using Curcuma longa, and citric acid in rabbit diets may enhance the growth of animal under the condition of the Egyptian commercial farms.
Keywords: Digestibility, feed additives, performance, rabbits.
Publication year 2008
Pages 67-82
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Additives. Digestibility. Feed additives. Growth factors. Performance testing. Rabbits.
Proposed Agrovoc natural additives;
Publication Type Journal
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