Effect of dietary supplementation of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) on productive performance and carcass traits of growing rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation and the length of the supplementation (between the ages of 5-11 or 8-11 weeks) of the growing rabbits’ diet by Spirulina or/and Thyme on the growing rabbits’ production. The experiment was conducted at the experimental rabbit farm of the Kaposvár University using maternal line rabbits (n=294). At weaning the rabbits were randomly sorted to 7 groups (42 rabbits/group). Rabbits of the control group (C) received a pellet throughout the experiment (5-11 weeks of age) without any supplementation. In the other groups the pellet was completed by 5% Spirulina (S), or 3% Thyme (T) or by both (ST) for the whole (5-11 wk; groups: S-S, T-T, ST-ST), or for end of the growing period (8-11 wk; groups: C-S, C-T, C-ST). Supplementing the diet by Spirulina or/and Thyme had no effect on the rabbits’ weight gain, body weight, feed consumption, morbidity and mortality. Significant differences were only found for feed conversion ratio (8-11, 5-11 weeks) of the C-T and C-C groups to the advantage of the C-T rabbits (P<0.05). The carcass traits of different groups did not differ significantly. Based on the results the feed supplements applied separately or jointly had no substantial effect on the growing rabbits’ production and health status.