Effect of herbal mixture in beef cattle diets on fattening performance and nutrient digestibility. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of herbal mixtureaddition in beef cattle diet on daily weight gain, feed utilization and the nutrient digestibility. The study was performed on 16 Limousin bulls during the fattening period from 100 kg to 650 kg of body weight. The animals were divided into two groups: a control (C) and experimental (E) group. All experimental bulls received the same daily rations composed of basal feeds and a concentrate mixture. The experimental factor was a certified mixture of dried chopped herbs (the author's own elaboration): Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea Moench.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), caraway (Carum carvi), and liquorice(Glycyrrhiza glabra), given additionally to the rations, in the amount of 3% of the predicted daily dry matter intake. During the study, the feed intake, animal weight gain, feed utilization per 1 kg of body weight gain, and nutrient digestibility were determined.The digestibility study was performed with the indicator method using acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as internal indicator. The addition of herbs improved animals’ performance. Higher daily gains in the experimental group of animals (1194 g/day/animal), compared to those fed without the addition of herbs (982 g/day/animal), were found with simultaneous better feed utilization for 1kg of growth (5.01 kg in the experimental group, 5.94 kg in the control group). Higher apparent protein and fat digestibility coefficients were noted in the animals from the experimental group (by 1.3 and 2.5 percentage points, respectively), compared to the control ones. In conclusion at least a 3% addition of herbal mixture containing Echinacea, garlic, thyme, caraway,and liquoricecan be recommended in beef cattle diet in order to improve thefattening performance. The addition of herbs improves animals’ performance. Higher daily gains in the experimental group of animals, with simultaneous better utilization of feed per1 kgof growth, were found.
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