The effect of a diet containing fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and goat’s-rue (Galega officinalis L.) on litter size and milk yield in rabbits

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of the addition of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) extract and goat’s rue extract (Galega officinalis L.) to rabbit feed on their breeding and milk performance. The research material was female Blanc de Termonde White rabbits (n = 15) and their offspring. The research was conducted on three consecutive litters of the does. The does were divided into three feeding groups, with 5 rabbits in each group. The rabbits in each feeding group were fed ad libitum with commercial pelleted complete feed. The control feed for the does contained wheat bran, dried alfalfa, extracted soybean seeds, barley, sugar beet pulp, sunflower extraction meal and a vitamin and mineral supplement. The rabbits in the first experimental group received feed containing 2% fennel extract, while the feed for the second group was enriched with a 2% addition of goat’s rue. The rabbits were mated 10 to 14 days after kindling. To examine the effect of the herbal feed supplements on the reproductive and milk performance of the rabbits, the following information was collected: number of rabbits born per litter, litter weight at 24 hours after birth and on the 21st day of life, and milk yield. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS statistical package. The analysis showed that the addition of fennel extract and goat’s rue extract significantly affects litter size and milk yield.