The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of herbal supplementation on rabbits&rsquo; health and production parameters. In experiment with herbal food additives, at 90 days of age animals fed with phytogenic additives (oregano, garlic and rosemary) had higher body weight compared to the group fed with coccidiostat. In experiment with herbal water additives (garlic extract or oregano) the phytobiotic supplementation had no effect on weight gains of animals. The highest body weight on slaughter day was obtained by rabbits drank water with garlic extract. Parasitological tests performed at 91 days of age showed that lowest average number of coccidia oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) in &nbsp;&ldquo;garlic&rdquo; group (48.0 OPG) and the highest in control group (308.6 OPG). The research showed that feed with herbal supplementation is willingly eaten by rabbits, contributes to faster weight gains and has a positive effect on meat quality.&nbsp;

The effect of phytogenic feed additives on the performance, meat quality&nbsp;and coccidial infection rates of rabbits

<div>Background: The pre and post-weaning mortality in broiler rabbit limits the production potential and lower the income generation through rabbit farming. Therefore, mortality pattern of animals in a farm is very essential clue for future strategy to combat the incidences of various diseases and prevention. Considering the above fact the present study was undertaken to find out the incidences of various rabbit diseases and mortality in an organized institutional farm. 
 
Methods: ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna was maintaining a broiler rabbit farm with 364 rabbit comprising Newzealand White (194) and Soviet Chinchilla (170) rabbit breed. During the three years (October, 2011 to September, 2014) study period in total 364 rabbits were under observation. The seasonal variation viz. (pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter, in regards to &nbsp;mortality, disease incidences, young and adults, sex variation, breed, housing system etc were recorded. The incidences of disease and mortality of rabbits were diagnosed through pathological examination and postmortem findings. The descriptive statistics and &divide;2 test were used to explain the statistical significance. 
 
Result: During the three years study period out of 364 broiler rabbits (Soviet Chinchilla and Newzealand white) in total 63 rabbits (17.31%) were died due to various diseases. The coccidiosis (3.02%), green slime disease (2.20%), haemorrhagic tracheitis (1.92%), enteritis (1.65%), pneumonia (1.37%) and peritonitis (1.37%) were affected more than the other diseases. Apart from these the other ailments that affected broiler rabbits were ear cancer (0.82%), gastroenteritis (0.82%), stomach infection (0.82%), cardinogenic shock (0.55%), stomach impaction (0.55%), kidney infection (0.55%), limb injury (0.27%), ascites (0.27%), cystitis (0.27%), abscess in abdominal cavity (0.27%), rupture of liver and gall bladder (0.27%) as well as injury of eye and blindness (0.27%). The Soviet Chinchilla rabbits were less (7.14%) affected than the Newzealand white (10.16%). It was observed that mortality of male rabbits (6.04%) were less than the female rabbits (11.26%) and &nbsp;mortality of young were higher (11.54%) than the adult rabbits (5.77%). The seasonal variations in mortality of broiler rabbits were observed in present study. In monsoon season mortality was maximum i.e. 6.32% whereas, in post-monsoon it was 5.49%, pre-monsoon 3.02% and in winter season mortality was only 2.47%. The Soviet Chinchilla rabbits were less susceptible and comparatively better performer in regards to disease resistance. It may be concluded that in broiler rabbit farm coccidiosia is a major concern along with other parasitic and bacterial diseases. However, proper hygiene and sanitation along with periodic treatment with coccidiostat and deworming reduces mortality of rabbits.&nbsp;</div>

The effect of phytogenic feed additives on the performance, meat quality and coccidial infection rates of rabbits

Mortality Pattern of Broiler Rabbits in an Organized Farm in Bihar, India