Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Garlic (Allium Sativum) on Feed Intake, Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Efficiency in Goat Kids

Abstract

Background: With the ban on the use of antibiotics as feed additives and growth promoters in animal nutrition, livestock scientists are now shifting their attention towards natural and safe products like organic acids, probiotics, prebiotics and herbal growth promoters. Plants containing essential compounds can be a cost-effective means of improving efficiency of nutrient utilization and growth performance of animals. The medicinal properties of garlic may have beneficial effects on nutrient utilization and health of animals. However, very few studies have been reported whereby garlic has been fed to ruminants. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of garlic (Allium sativum) on feed intake, growth performance and feed conversion efficiency in goat kids. Methods: Twelve kids of similar age were randomly allotted to two equal groups (n=6) on basis of body weight. All animals were maintained on common feeding regime consisting of required concentrate mixture and roughage as per requirement given by ICAR (2013). Kids in experimental group were supplemented with garlic @ 250 mg per kg body weight whereas; the control group was remaining unsupplemented. The study was conducted for 90 days. Animals were weighed fortnightly in the morning before offering feed and water. The data on growth rate in terms of body weight, average daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were analysed as per standard procedures. Result: The results indicated that overall mean body weight and average dry matter intake were statistically (P greater than 0.05) similar in both the groups. No significant difference was observed in feed conversion efficiency between the treatment groups. The average daily gain was statistically similar in both the groups, but numerically 5.31 per cent increased ADG was observed in garlic fed group. From the results it can be deduced that the garlic supplementation improves average daily gain by 5.31%. However, it has no effect on feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of goat kids.