Supplementation and optimization of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome powder in growing rabbit diets

Abstract

The responses of growing rabbits to varying levels of ginger rhizome powder (GP) supplementation were investigated. 72 growing rabbits were divided in 4 groups with each group replicated thrice. Rabbits in each group received commercial diet supplemented with GP at a rate of 0 g (T1), 5 g (T2), 10 g (T3) or 15 g/kg feed (T4) in a completely randomized design for 12 weeks. Quadratic regression equation was used to determine GP supplementation for optimum production variables. Results indicated that rabbits on diet T4 gained weight with lesser feed intake (FI), whereas rabbits on diet T2 had the best feed to gain ratio. Rabbits on diets T2 and T3 recorded higher (p less than 0.05) glucose levels compared to those on the other two diets. Higher (p less than 0.05) cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDLP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDLP) were recorded for rabbits on diet T4 compared to those on diet T1. Rabbits on diet T1 had (p less than 0.05) lower potassium level than rabbits on diets T2 and T4. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was lowest for rabbits on diet T3, which differed (p less than 0.05) significantly from rabbits on the other three diets. The results indicated that GP supplementation at 2.601, 2.826, 2.047, 0.148, 0.774, 0.792, 0.266, 1.363 and 2.443 g/kg feed supported the optimum live weight, FI, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLP, LDLP, potassium and ALP level, respectively in growing rabbits. The above-mentioned findings indicate that GP supplementation on rabbit diets enhanced production variables.