Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of feed restriction systems, herbal mixture 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 3 × 4 factorial arrangement was performed, including three feed restriction systems (ad-libitum, 90%, and 80% of ad-libitum) and four dietary supplementation levels of herbal mix (0, 0.30%, 0.50% and 0.70%). A total number of 120 rabbits (male and female ratio 1:1) at five weeks of age were randomly allotted into twelve experimental groups (n = 10 each). 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). HERBS levels significantly influenced the growth performance and carcass traits of rabbits. The herbal blend had a positive effect on reducing the population of pathogenic microorganisms and increasing the population of lactic acid bacteria. Conclusively, it could be concluded that the feed restriction system has beneficial effects in the improvement of feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight gain, and carcass traits. In addition, HERBS supplementation to the growing rabbits resulted in significant improvements in growth performance, carcass characteristics, and microbial aspects of rabbits kept from 5 to 13 weeks of age.

• Highlights:

• This work investigated the effect of feed restriction systems (FRS), herbal mix (HERBS), and their interactions with rabbits.

• Restricted feed decreased live body weight during all ages studied.

• Feed conversion ratio, weight gain and carcass traits were improved due to FRS.

• The HERBS improved the growth, carcass traits, and microbial aspects of rabbits.

摘要

本研究的目的是确定饲料限制系统、草药混合物及其相互作用对 5 至 13 周龄生长的新西兰白兔 (NZW) 生长性能、胴体性状和微生物方面的影响。进行了 3 × 4 阶乘安排，包括三个饲料限制系统（随意、90% 和 80%随意）和四个膳食补充水平的草药混合物（0、0.30%、0.50% 和 0.70%） . 将 120 只 5 周龄的兔子（雌雄比 1:1）随机分配到 12 个实验组（每组n  = 10）。结果显示，与对照组相比，限饲兔的体重、增重和采食量均显着降低。随意）。HERBS水平显着影响兔的生长性能和胴体性状。草药混合物对减少病原微生物的数量和增加乳酸菌的数量具有积极作用。总之，可以得出结论，饲料限制系统在改善饲料转化率 (FCR)、增重和胴体性状方面具有有益效果。此外，向生长中的兔子补充 HERBS 可显着改善 5 至 13 周龄兔子的生长性能、胴体特征和微生物方面。

• 强调：

• 这项工作调查了饲料限制系统 (FRS)、草药混合物 (HERBS) 的影响以及它们与兔子的相互作用。

• 在所研究的所有年龄段，限制性饲料都会降低活体重。

• 由于FRS，饲料转化率、增重和胴体性状得到改善。

• HERBS 改善了兔子的生长、胴体特征和微生物方面。