EFFECT OF FEEDING RABBIT DOES ON DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH HABARACHAD (LEPIDIUM SATIVUM) SEEDS ON PHYSIOLOGOCAL AND REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS AND ECONOMICAL EFFICIENCY

Abstract

: The current design was conducted to investigate the impact of dietary Habarachad (HR) seeds as a dietary supplement on reproductive and economic performance of local rabbits in Egypt (Black Balady Rabbits). Rabbits were divided into four equal groups, each containing three female replicates and one male. The control group received commercial basal diet only, while the other groups received the basal diet supplemented with 2.5, 5, and 7.5 g/kg diet, respectively. The rabbits fed diets supplemented with both 5 and 7.5 g HR/kg diet recorded significantly the lowest feed intake than the control group. Litter size at birth significantly improved due to feeding on diet supplemented with 5 g HR/ kg diet followed by the diet contained 2.5 g HR/kg diet compared to the control diet. The kids from rabbits fed on diets supplemented with 5 g HR/kg diet had significantly the highest weight at birth and number at 21 day followed by the low level of HR as compared to the HR-untreated group. Litter size at weaning (35 day) was significantly increased by feeding on diet supplemented with 5 g HR/kg diet and the diet contained 2.5 g HR/kg diet came second followed compared to the control group. There was a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio due to feeding on diet supplemented with 2.5 and 5 g HR/kg diet compared to the control group. All different levels of HR had significantly higher value of serum globulin than the control group. Also, no significant alternations were detected in serum low density lipoprotein compared to HR-untreated group. On the other hand, it should be noted that both superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity were significantly increased by feeding diets supplemented with 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g HR/kg diet especially level of 5 g/kg diet compared to the control group. Conclusively, according to the results, it is concluded that dietary HR supplementation up to 5 g/ kg diet for Black Balady rabbit’s does could be used to improve and maximize reproductive performance and economic efficiency.