Effect of Digestarom® supplementation on performance of rabbit does.

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary Digestarom® supplementation on the reproductive performance of rabbit does. One hundred and three Pannon Ka (maternal line) multiparous rabbit does were randomly divided into two groups. In the control group (n=51), the rabbit does were fed with commercial diet (C), in the other group (n=52) the rabbit does received the same diet supplemented with 300g/ton of Digestarom® herbal extract (D). Two reproductive cycles were evaluated. Rabbit does refused the supplemented feed during the first pregnancy and lactation therefore the feed intake was not counted. At the second kindling there were differences in weight of does (C: 4535 vs D: 4300 g, P<0.05) and kindling rate (C: 73.5 vs D: 47.1%, P<0.01), presumably the refusal of D feed by the does caused a poor body condition. The individual weight of kits was also affected at day 7 (C: 154 vs D: 147 g, P<0.05) and at day 21 (C: 354 vs D: 338 g, P<0.05) in the whole experimental period (litter 1+2). Digestarom® supplementation seems not be able to improve the reproductive performance of the rabbit does.