Effect of garlic powder on fattening performance and blood metabolites of Dalagh male lambs

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of different levels of garlic powder (GP) on fattening performance and blood metabolites of Dalagh male lambs. Twenty male lambs of Dalagh breed with 10 months of age and mean initial body weight of 31.5 ± 2.5 kg were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments with five replicates per treatment in a completely randomize design (CRD) for a period of 91 days (7 days for adaptation and 84 days trial). The experimental treatments were: control (without GP), 5 gr GP, 10 gr GP and 15 gr GP/lamb/day. The lambs were fed individually ad libitum. The blood samples were collected in weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and lambs were weighted every two weeks. Dry matter intake (DMI) was determined every two weeks. Dry matter intake of lambs fed with 15 grams GP per day increased as compared to control. Adding GP had no significant effect on average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The GP had no effect on serum blood glucose, urea and triglyceride concentration, but treatment with high garlic powder decreased blood urea and triglyceride numerically. In conclusion, the results showed that dry matter intake of lambs fed with 15 grams GP per day increased as compared to control but there were no change in fattening performance and blood metabolites of male Dalagh lambs.