EFFECT OF FEEDING POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L.) PEELS AND IT´S EXTRACT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING V-LINE MALE RABBITS

A total number of 45 V-line rabbit males at 5 weeks of age and averaged about 846.25 to 861.25g body weight were used in this study. Animals were distributed randomly into five experimental groups of 9 rabbits per each with three replicates (3 rabbits each). The 1^st rabbits group was served as a control group without any supplementation in diet or drinking water. The second and third groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.0 and 1.5% pomegranate peel powder in the diet, respectively. Whereas, the fourth and fifth groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.0 and 1.5% pomegranate peel extract in the drinking water, respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The results obtained could be summarized as follows: rabbit males drinking pomegranate peel extract at different levels or fed pomegranate peel powder at different levels had significantly (P≤0.05) best values for live body weight and live body weight gain compared with the control rabbits. Rabbits fed 1% pomegranate peel powder consumed significantly (P≤0.05) feed more than other treatment groups or control group. Rabbit drinking 1.5% pomegranate peel extract significantly (P≤0.05) improved feed conversion ratio followed by fed 1% pomegranate peel powder compared to other treatment groups or control group during whole experimental period. A significant (P≤0.05) increase in the digestion coefficient of organic matter with the addition of pomegranate peel extract or powder. Feeding basal diet plus pomegranate peel extract at high level causing lower (P≤0.05) significant the digestion coefficient of ether extract compared to other test diets. Either adding pomegranate peel in the form of powder or control diet led to an increase digest NFE coefficient compared to the addition of pomegranate peel extract. The results also showed the superiority of pomegranate peel extract compared to the addition of pomegranate peel powder to improve the utilization of energy in the form of TDN. Adding pomegranate peel extract was improved DCP significantly (P≤0.05) compared to the addition of PP powder and control diet. Adding pomegranate peel in powder form or in extract form of rabbits significantly (P≤0.05) increased concentration of total protein, globulin and total lipids comparing with control one. The best value of Economic Efficiency (EE) was recorded by group drinking 1.5% pomegranate peel extract. From the present study, it could be concluded that pomegranate peel in powder form by diet or in extract form by drinking water of rabbits improved the growth performance, digestibility coefficients, nutritive values, carcass characteristic and some blood constituents of V-line growing rabbit males.