Effect of addition Thymol to the diet on growth Performance and Digestibility Coefficient and some blood Biochemical parameters in Arabi lambs

Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain the influence of addition thymol powder to the diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and some blood biochemical parameters of lambs fed a diet consisting of 60% concentrated and 40% alfalfa hay. Sixteen Arabi male lambs were randomly distributed into four groups; the first group lambs were received diet without any addition and served as control group, while the second, third, and fourth groups lambs were received 200, 300 and 400 mg thymol.kg^-1 dry matter, respectively, for 105 days. The results showed that the supplement groups had a significantly higher (P≤0.05) in total and daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and feed intake than in control group. Lambs received 300 mg thymol.kg^-1 significantly improved (P≤0.05) digestibility coefficient of dry matter and nitrogen free extract as compared with control lambs. Lambs received 300 mg thymol.kg^-1 feed) were higher (P>0.05) than those received 200 mg thymol.kg^-1 feed in terms of organic matter, crude fiber, cellulose, and hemicellulose digestibility coefficient. Blood urea concentration was significantly lower (P≤0.05) in the second group (200 mg thymol.kg^-1) than control group. While other blood parameters such as glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations were not affected by thymol addition. It can be concluded that addition thymol at 300 mg.kg^-1 enhanced growth performance and nutrient digestibility in Arabi lambs without adverse effect on blood biochemical parameters.