Influence of supplemental acidfiers on physiological and productive performance in weaning rabbits
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine if individual organic acids (Lactic(L), Acetic(A) and Citric (C) or mixture organic acids (LA, LC, AC and LAC) supplementation to drinking water would have a beneficial effect on physiological and productive performance of weaning rabbits. Seventy two weaned New-Zealand White rabbits (NZW) at 6 week of age weighing an average of 660g were divided into eight groups ( 9 rabbits each), Rabbits of group (G1) received plain water. Rabbits of group 2, 3, 4 received water supplemented with 0.5 mil Litter (L), (A) or (C). Whereas, Rabbits of group 5, 6, 7 and 8 received water supplemented with 0.5 ml/Liter a total of a combination of(L+A), (L+C), (A+C) and (L+A+C). The rabbit houses were made of available local materials (mud. wood etc...,). Rabbits were fed ad libitum on pelleted ration contain 17.0% Crude protein ,2530 kcal/kg Metabolizable energy (ME), 12.4% Crude fiber. The study was continued during fattening period. from 6-12 weeks of age, from April to June 2004.
The results showed that lactic, acetic or citric acids separately had no significant effect on hematocrit values and hemoglobin concentrations. However, red blood cells counts and white blood cells counts increased significantly compared to the control groups. Significant reduction was observed in blood pH, cecum pH and E.Coli count compared to the controls. The total anaerobic bacteria decreased significantly in G4 but no significant decrease was observed in G2 and G3. Marketing body weight and body weight gain increased significantly compared to the controls.
However, feed conversion improved in the G2 and G4 only. Feed intake decreased in G2 only.
Results indicated that groups received mixtures of organic acids (L+A),) L+C), (A+C) and (L+A+C) had slightly increased hematocrit in G5, G7 and G8 compared to the control. Hemoglobin, red blood cells counts and white blood cells counts were increased significantly in all combination groups. Significant reductions were observed in blood pH, cecum pH, total anaerobic bacteria and E. coli counts in all combination groups. Groups received combinations of organic acids in drinking water had significantly increased marketing body weight and body weight gain, except G6, compared to the controls. Feed conversion increased in G5.and G6 compared to the control. Feed intake increased in all combination treated groups.
It was concluded that the significant use of citric. acid significant or the use combination or organic acids (L+A), (A+C) and (L+A+C) in drinking water or weanling rabbits had beneficial effects throughout the growing period and improved hematological parameters, cecum microflora and productive traits.
Keywords: Rabbits, organic acids, entireties, E. coli. productive performance.
Publication year 2006
Pages 683-690
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City المنصورة
serial title Journal Agricultural Science Mansoura University
ISSN 1110-0346
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    فاتن عبد الفتاح احمد ابراهيم جامعة القاهرة
    احمد عبد اللطيف الفار جامعة القاهرة
Agris Categories Animal physiology - NutritionAnimal physiology - Reproduction
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Acetic acid. Citric acid. Lactic acid. Organic acids. Performance testing. Production. Rabbits.
Proposed Agrovoc E.coli;entireties;
Publication Type Journal
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