EFFECT OF SPIRULINA AND PREBIOTIC (INMUNAIR 17.5) ON NEW-ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS PERFORMANCE

Twenty-four weanling New Zealand white rabbits (NWZ) at five weeks of age and nearly similar average body weight (682-693 g) randomly divided into four treatment groups (6 rabbits per group), each group was subdivided into three replicates (two rabbits per replicate). The 1^stgroup fed the basal diet and given tap water without supplements as a control group, the 2^nd group was fed the same basal diet and given tap water supplemented with Prebiotic (Inmunair 17.5^Ò) at level (1 ml/ liter drinking water) three days in beginning of the experiment, the 3^rdand 4^thgroups were given tap water and fed diet supplemented with Spirulina at levels of 0.1 and 0.2% diet, respectively at all the period of experiment (8 weeks). Growth performance (live body weight, feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio) and carcass traits were studied. Results obtained showed that, significant (P<0.01) promoting effect on growth performance at 13 weeks of age of rabbits received Prebiotic (Inmunair 17.5) at 1 ml/ liter in drinking water for three days. The average of feed intake and feed conversion ratio of rabbits supplemented with Spirulina at levels 0.1 and 0.2% in the diet were improved significantly (p<0.05 or p<0.01), respectively when compared with control. The studied carcass traits (Fore part, Hind part, liver, head, heart, lung, kidney and dressing) except spleen and lion were significantly higher in growing rabbits received drinking water supplemented with Inmunair 17.5 and rabbits fed on diet contained 0.1 and 0.2% spirulina compared with control group.