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The aim of this work was to reduce the postweaning stress of growing rabbits by using fasting regimen and probiotic supplementation. Twenty‐four weaned males new Zealand rabbits (5 weeks of age) were randomly divided into four equal groups including (1) rabbits fed ad labium diet served as control, (2) rabbits fasted for 12 h (two days/week) for 8 weeks, (3) rabbits fed ad labium diet with 2.0 cm3 probiotic/litter for 8 weeks, (4) rabbits fasted for 12 h (2 days/week) and take 2.0 cm3 probiotic/litter for 8 weeks. The probiotic inclusion corresponded to Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis were supplemented to water in the probiotic groups. Results showed that food consumption was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in growing rabbits of ad libitum group (control group) compared to other in restricted rabbits, but body weight (BW) of growing rabbit in probiotic group at 6 and 12 week of age increased by12 and 19%, respectively, than other in control group and also improved daily weight gain (DWG) during all experimental periods. Compared with control, significant reductions (p <.01) in Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, ALT, AST and urea were found in oral probiotic groups with or without fasting programme. Oral administration of probiotic without fasting regimen significantly improved all carcass characteristics compared to other groups. Total bacteria, fungi, coliforms and cellulolytic bacteria counts were significantly improved in the fasting group with or without adding probiotics compared to control group. Conclusively, using probiotics with or without fasting regimen for 8 weeks postweaning improved growth performance during fattening and enhancement cecum activity of growing rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For improving the performance of growing rabbits given salinity water and two levels of aqueous and ethanolic vitex extract, 75 New Zealand White growing rabbits of five weeks old and body weight of 553.00±0.091g were divided equally into 5 treatments. Control treatment was fed control diet. 5 and 7.5g/kg diet of the vitex leaves aqueous extract were supplemented to treatments two and three and 5.0 and 7.5g / kg diet of the vitex leaves ethanolic extract were supplemented to groups four and five for 15 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for the clinical analysis. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics and gut microbiome were determined. Rabbits given saline water and supplemented aqueous and alcoholic vitex extracts had higher (P<0.0001) final body weight. The ethanolic extract reduced (P<0.0001) feed intake and feed conversion. The control had the lowest digestibility coefficient of all nutrient’s digestion coefficients compared to treated groups. Carcass weight (P<0.022), carcass percent (P<0.017), and protein in the meat increased in all supplemented groups with no difference in the internal organs weight, dressing percent, and edible giblets. Vitex extracts (P≤ 0.05) increased total protein (P<0.003), triglycerides (P<0.001), and LDL (P<0.042) but declined ALT (P<0.028). Control group had the lowest cecum pH (P<0.011) and total volatile fatty acids ((P<0.017), high ammonia (P<0.009) and cecum microbial counts (P<0.001). Rabbits supplemented Vitex ethanolic extracts consumed the lowest feed intake and cost associated increased body weight gain with increasing the concentration. In conclusion, growing rabbits bred for meat production can be supplemented either the aqueous or the ethanolic extracts for longer intervals for improving their health, meat composition and reduce the costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]