Evaluation of some natural additives as growth enhancers in rabbits diets [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Seventy two weanling New Zealand White (NZW) 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 dietary supplementation with (Curcuma longa, leamon extract and citric acid) alone or with combination enhances growth on rabbits.

Summary in Arabic.

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