Growth performance and rumen microbial loads of west african dwarf rams fed diet containing garlic (Allium sativum) meal

The study investigated the effects of Garlic (Allium sativum) on growth performance and rumen microbial loads of West African Dwarf (WAD). Twenty-five (25) WAD rams with an average live weight of 17.38±0.04 kg were used in a completely randomized design for 16 weeks. Five concentrate diets containing varying levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %) of Allium Sativum were formulated while Panicum maximum was fed as a basal diet. Rumen fluid was collected at the end of feeding trial to determine rumen microbial loads. Data collected were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results showed the daily dry matter grass intake was found to be higher at 2 % inclusion level (348.51 g/day) and lowest at 0.5 % inclusion which were significantly affected (p<0.05) by inclusion levels of garlic meal. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained (8.54) at 1 % inclusion compared to rams fed meal at 0 % which has 10.97 feed conversion ratio (FCR). The total bacterial values ranged from 2.87x107 cfu/ml to 4.47x107 cfu/ml in rams feed containing 1.0 % garlic meal which were significantly affected (p<0.05) by inclusion levels of garlic meal. The highest total protozoan counts 5.00x105 cfu/ml was obtained with rams fed diets containing 1.0 % garlic meal while the lowest total protozoan count 2.67x105 cfu/ml was recorded with diets containing 0.0 % garlic meal which was significantly affected (p<0.05) by inclusion levels. It was therefore concluded that Allium sativum meal can be incorporated into the diets of rams at 1 % for effective rumen fermentation and better nutrient utilization of West African Dwarf rams without any adverse effects on the health status of experimental rams