Impact of Feeding Spice-Treated Bovine Blood Rumen Content Mixtures on Productive Performance and Economics of Production of Weaned Rabbits

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of feeding spice-treated bovine blood rumen content mixtures on growth performance and economics of production of weaned rabbits. Five experimental diets were formulated using bovine blood rumen content mixture (BBRCM) such that diet 1 (T1) which served as control contained 0% BBRCM while diet 2 (T2) contained 20% BBRCM without spice supplementation. Diets 3 (T3), 4 (T4) and 5 (T5) contained 20% BBRCM supplemented with ginger, garlic and thyme respectively. A total of 60 weaned rabbits were assigned equally into five treatment groups, with four replicates of 3 rabbits each. Compared to control and the unsupplemented, rabbits fed supplemented BBRCM exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher body weights, greater weight gain, and higher feed consumption during the experimental period. There was no significant (P < 0.05) difference in the weight gain and feed intake of rabbits fed the control and unsupplemented BBRCM diets. The dietary treatments did not have significant impact (p > 0.05) on the feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios of the animals. In conclusion, ginger, garlic and thyme could be safely used in weaned rabbits diets to promote growth and to impart healthful constituents to the consumer