EFFECT OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT OF WEANING RABBITS

Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment of weaning rabbits with Saccharomyces cerevisiae from 4-10 weeks of age on growth performance and digestive system development. A total of 60 NZW rabbits at 4 weeks of age were used. Rabbits were assigned to 4 treatment groups (15 in each) during December 2017 to February 2018. Rabbits in 1st group were fed basal diet and served as control group (C), while, Rabbits in 2nd , 3rd , and 4th groups were fed basal diet supplemented with 100, 200 and 400 gm SCB/ton diet (R1, R2 and R3). Resulted revealed that final live body weight and daily weight gain were increased significantly (P≤0.01) for rabbits fed treated diets, and growth rate was significantly (P≤0.05) improved comparable with control. Feed intake was decreased while FCR was improved for rabbits fed treated diets. Hot carcass weight% and dressing% were increased significantly (P≤0.05) in rabbits fed diet supplemented 400 gm SCB/ton (R3) by 29.3% comparing to control group. Gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) length and caecum length were increased in rabbits fed basal diet supplemented with SCB compared to control group. Addition a pelleted basal diet with 200 or 400 gm SCB/ton diet due to decrease in the pH of caecum compared with those fed 100 gm SCB/ton diet and control group. Addition SCB was decreased total cholesterol significantly (P≤0.05) comparing with the control group. Best economical efficiency was obtained in rabbit's fed 400 gm SCB/ton diet.