EFFECT OF DIETARY PHYTOBIOTICS BLEND (TURMERIC, GARLIC, GINGER AND CLOVE) ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS YIELD, HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF RABBITS

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of phytobiotic blend on growth, carcass, haematology and serum biochemistry of rabbits. A total of forty eight (48) unsexed rabbits at 7-8 weeks old was used. They were allotted T1- 0g inclusion as control group and T2- 10g inclusion of blend at the rate of 2.5g of each turmeric, garlic, ginger and clove in a one way analysis of variance. Data were collected on growth, carcass, cost benefit, haematology and serum parameter and were analysed using ANOVA. The results revealed higher (P<0.05) bled weight (96.53%), singeing weight (92.80%) and head (19.53%) were recorded with rabbit fed diet containing the 10g of the blends while rabbit fed diet without the inclusion had the least bled weight (93.71%), singeing weight (89.36%) and head (15.70%). Higher liver weight (6.37%) was recorded with rabbit fed diet without inclusion and least (4.97%) with rabbit fed diets with the inclusion of blend. Higher (P<0.05) white blood cell (6812.50cell/ul) was recorded with rabbit fed diet without the inclusion of the blend while rabbit fed diet with the inclusion of the blend had the least (5156.3050cell/ul). Higher (P<0.05) cost per kg diet (N153.06) was recorded with rabbit fed diet with the blend while rabbit fed diet without the blend had the least cost per kg diet (N146.34). Conclusively, this study concluded that inclusion of phytobiotic blend in the diet at 10g can be added to the diet for improved growth performance, carcass yield, cost benefit, haematology and serum biochemistry in rabbits production.