Carcass yield and intestinal morphology of male rabbits fed diets supplemented with turmeric (Curcuma Longa) powder

Thirty-two (7-8 weeks old) male rabbits that weighed between 700 and 800 g were used to determine the effect of inclusion of Turmeric powder on carcass yield and intestinal morphology of rabbits. The rabbits were randomly allotted to four diets containing varying levels of turmeric powder (0, 5, 10 and 15 g) in a complete randomized design. Data were collected on carcass yield, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, crypt depth, mucosal thickness and analyzed using ANOVA. Significant (p<0.05) differences were obtained on bled and eviscerated weights, forelimbs, hind limbs, neck, tail and loin. Highest (p<0.05) duodenum crypt depth (111.50 μm) was obtained with buck fed diet containing 15 g turmeric inclusion while buck fed with diet containing 0 g turmeric had the least value of (67.67 μm). This was similar (p>0.05) with values obtained for buck fed diets containing 5 g turmeric (73.83 μm) and those fed with 10 g turmeric inclusion (79.33 μm). There was significant difference (P<0.05) of rabbit fed with diets with turmeric on jejunum villi height. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in jejunum crypt depth and mucosal thickness. However, 10 g inclusion could be assumed as economic inclusion level for carcass yield and intestinal increase in rabbit production.