EFFECT OF FEEDING SYSTEM AND DIETARY Nigella sativa SEED LEVEL ON PERFORMANCE OF RABBIT DOES AT FIRST PARITY DURING THE MILD AND HOT SEASONS OF EGYPT

Abstract

One hundred and twenty New Zealand White doe rabbits at first parity were used to study the effects of period of the year (60 animals in the mild, and another 60 in the hot period), feeding system (30 ad libitum and 30 fed only at night per season) and Nigella sativa seed dietary supplementation (0, 0.5 and 1% seeds, 10 does feeding system / season). The Temperature–humidity index (THI) estimated was 18.9 and 24.7 at mild and hot periods, respectively, indicating absence of heat stress during the mild period (less than 22.2) and exposure to severe heat stress during the hot period (23.3-25.5). Exposure to severe heat stress decreased (P<0.05) feed intake, litter size at birth, 21 d and at weaning, litter weight at birth, 21 d and at weaning and milk yield than in the mild period. However, water intake, rectum temperature, respiration rate and pre-weaning mortality increased (P < 0.05) with heat stress. Feeding only during night improved (P<0.05) feed intake, litter size at birth, 21 days and at weaning, litter weight at birth, 21 days and weaning and milk yield than in ad libitum feeding system. While, water consumption decreased (P<0.05) in animals fed only during the night than with those fed ad libitum. Interaction effects of season of the year × feeding system were significant (P<0.05) for litter size at birth and 21 days and milk yield indicated better results of feeding only at night especially during the mild season.. Dietary supplementation with 0.5% N. sativa seeds improved (P<0.05) feed intake , litter size at birth, at 21 d and at weaning, litter weight at birth, at 21 d and at weaning and milk yield than without supplementation. Comparison between the results of the two levels of .N. sativa (0.5 and 1%) did not show any difference between them, except for milk yield that was improved with 1% N. sativ a inclusion. Conclusively, it is recommended to fed rabbits only at night, under our warm sub-tropical environmental conditions and to supplement doe rabbits with 0.5% N. sativa seeds).