EVALUATION OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED DIETARY INCLUSION OF GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM) MEAL.

Abstract

Twenty-four grower rabbits were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design to four diets containing garlic meal at 0.00, 200, 400 and 600g/100kg diet to assess the effect of dietary inclusion of garlic on nutrient digestibility, caecal bacteria count, haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Data were collected on feed intake, faecal output, caecal bacterial count, haematological and serum biochemical indices of the rabbits. Result showed that crude protein and ether extract digestibility coefficients were higher (p<0.05) in groups fed diets containing 400g of garlic. Crude fibre digestibility coefficient was higher in rabbits fed diet containing 200g of garlic and least in rabbits fed control diet. Bacillus and Lactobacillus species were significantly higher (p<0.05) in rabbits fed diets containing garlic at 200g and 400g per 100kg diets followed by those fed diets containing 600g and least for control groups. E. coli, Clostridium and Enterobacteriaceae spp populations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in rabbits fed diet without garlic meal and lower in rabbits fed diets supplemented with garlic. Packed cell volume was highest (p<0.05) for control and least for groups fed diets containing garlic. Serum total protein (7.08 mg/dl), albumin (3.94 mg/dl) and globulin (3.15 mg/dl) were higher in rabbits fed diets without garlic supplementations. Glucose was higher in rabbits fed diets with garlic supplementations at 200g (195.68mg/dl), 400g (175.04mg/dl) and 600g (179.56mg/dl) per 100kg diets and least in the control groups (144.02 mg/dl). Total cholesterol contents were reduced in rabbits fed diets containing garlic at 600g (50.29mg/dl), 400g (59.88mg/dl) and 200g (74.10mg/dl) per 100kg diets compared with the control groups (91.13 mg/dl). conclusively, inclusion of garlic in the diets of growing rabbits up to 600g per 100kg improves nutrient utilization and beneficial caecal bacterial populations and had no detrimental effects on the animals.