![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction systems, some medical plants (MPM) and their interactions on growth performance, carcass traits, and microbial aspects of growing New Zealand White (NZW) Rabbit kept from 5 to 13 weeks of age. A 3x4 factorial arrangement was performed, including three feed restriction systems (ad-libitum, 90%, and 80% of ad-libitum) and four dietary supplementation levels of MPM (0, 0.30%, 0.50% and 0.70%). A total number of 120 Rabbits (male and female sex ratio 1:1) at five weeks of age which were randomly distributed into twelve experimental groups (N= 10 of Rabbits each) with 5 replicates each (n=2). Results showed a significant decrease in body weight, body weight gain and feed intake in restricted-fed Rabbits compared to the control group (ad-libitum). However the addition of MPM significantly influenced the growth performance and carcass traits of Rabbits. Also The addition of MPM caused a positive effect concerning the reduction of harmful microorganisms and increasing the population of useful lactic acid bacteria. In general, it can be concluded that the feed restriction systems showed beneficial effects in improving feed FCR, BWG, and some carcass traits. However, the addition of MPM at different leves to the growing Rabbits diet resulted in a significant improvements in growth performance, some carcass traits, and microbial homeostasis of Rabbits along the experimental study. |