Effects of pomegranate peel and laurel bay leaves on growth performance and blood parameters in growing lambs

Phytochemical contains several plant secondary compounds improved ruminant health and productivity. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) and laurel bay leaves powder (LLP) and their mixture on growth performance and some blood parameters in growing lambs. Sixteen Awassi lambs at 4-5 months old with average of (21.81kg ±0.63) kg weight were randomly distributed into four treatments groups: control without any addition (0%), 1% PPP, 1% LLP and mixture 0.5% PPP plus 0.5% LLP in a completely randomized design and fed 63 days a concentrate diet at 3% of live body weight. No significant difference (P>0.05) in feed consumption, final body weight. Results revealed that lambs received 1%PPP and mixture of 0.5% PPP plus 0.5%LLP had best total weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio as compared with control group. Serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and urea nitrogen concentration were not affected in lambs supplemented with pomegranate peel and laurel bay leaves compared to the control. The additives had no effect on the liver enzymes AST and ALT. It can be conclude that lambs that the mixture of PPP plus LLP exhibited better lamb's performance in comparison with 1% LLP and no adverse effects biochemical blood parameters.