Abstract
This study examined the impact of essential oil from Piliostigma thonningii on rabbit carcass features, organ weight and relative weight, and organoleptic aspects. The rabbits were split randomly into three treatment groups, each containing fifteen rabbits, and their body weight was adjusted so that, in a completely random design, the average beginning body weight (BW) of each group was similar at 262.89 ± 22.36 g. Dietary basal control was the first treatment. Two milliliters and four milliliters of PEO per kilogram, respectively, were added to the base control diet in treatments two and three. The proportion of carcass dressing and head weight in T2 and T3 were greater (P < 0.05) than in T1. Carcass properties and organoleptic properties were not affected (P > 0.05) by treatments. Carcass dressing percentage and head weight were higher (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 than in T1. Fasted live weight, slaughtered and dressed weights increased (P < 0.05) with increasing level of PEO supplementation. Carcass forelimb weight, hind limb weight and thorax weight were higher (P < 0.05) in T3 than in T2 and T1. Organ and relative organ weights, blood weight, carcass properties and organoleptic properties, were not affected (P > 0.05) by treatments. It is concluded that P. thonningii essential oil supplementation improved carcass characteristics of the experimental rabbits. However, 4 ml PEO/kg diet is the optimum supplementation level, as it was more effective in enhancing the dressing percentage without affecting the organoleptic properties of the meat.