Evaluation of a polyherbal additive “Immuplus” in lamb’s feedlot rations

Abstract

Objective: To verify that “Immuplus” a polyherbal feed plant additive (Tinospora cordifolia, Ocimum sanctum, Whitania somnifera, Andrographis paniculata y Azadirachta indica) improve the productive performance in finishing lambs. Design/methodology: Twenty male Hampshire x Suffolk lambs (initial body weight 33.6+1.9 kg) were assigned according to a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of dietary inclusion of the Immuplus at 0 and 14 g kg^-1 dry matter by 35 days.  Results: Daily gain, final body weight, feed conversion, dry matter intake were improved by polyherbal dietary inclusion (P<0.01), however back fat thickness or chop area were not modified (P>0.05). Study limitations/implications: The large number of plants and bioactive compounds in Inmuplus limit the identification of the components that influence the modification of the metabolism of lambs. Findings/conclusions: The dietary inclusion of 14 g kg^-1 dry matter of immuplus improve lambs’ productive performance.