Effect of Application of Onion Bulbs and Birch Twigs on Production Performances of Rabbits

Abstract

Gugolek, A., Lorek, M.O. and Janiszewski, P. 2008. Effect of application of onion bulbs and birch twigs on production performances of rabbits. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 34: 189–192.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of onions and birch twigs on the welfare of intensively reared New Zealand White rabbits. Control group (C) were fed a complete pelleted diet without additives, while the rabbits in experimental groups received birch twigs (B) or onions (A) every other day. The best reproduction results were reported for females receiving an onion-supplemented diet. These females were characterized by better rearing performance expressed as the number of kittens born alive and weaned. Young rabbits of group A had higher final body weights. Coccidian oocyst counts per lg of faeces were lower in group A, which was correlated with the lowest mortality rate. The number of rabbits with fur damage was lower in groups A and B. Environmental enrichment devices positively affected the production results of both females and growing rabbits. Whole onion bulbs provided to rabbits can be considered a novel enriching stimulus that exerts a beneficial biological influence on their growth and reproduction.

Keywords:

• Animal welfare
• birch twig
• environment
• onion
• rabbit