Effect of Supplementing 21 Day Weaned Rabbits with Mixture of Mentha, Cumin Extracts with Cow Milk on Weaning Performance of Different Rabbits' Breeds

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of supplementing early weaning kits at 21 d with a mixture of Mentha and Cumin extracts with cow Milk (MCM) on the performance and blood plasma constituents of the rearing kits. A total of 288 weaned rabbits were used from four breeds (New Zealand White, California, Chinchilla and Rex). Rabbits were divided into three treated groups (96 rabbits each). The first group kits weaned at 27 d (G27), the second group was kits weaned at 21 d (G21) and the third group was kits weaned at 21 d (GS21) and supplemented for six days with a fresh mixture of MCM. The results showed that, at 27 d, the supplemented kits with the MCM mixture of different tested breeds (GS21) showed a significant higher (p<0.05) body weight and daily body weight gain compared with the other groups (G21 and G27). The MCM mixture supplementation improved generally the kits daily body weight gain by about 35.8%, compared with kits weaned at 27 d of age (G27). The 21 d weaned kits of California breed and supplemented with MCM mixture showed the highest percentage of improvement in the daily body weight gain, by about 48% higher than the California kits weaned at 27 d of age.  In general, no significant differences for albumin, hemoglobin and red blood cells were detected among the tested breeds in the different tested rearing systems. However, significant higher (p<0.05) feed intake was detected for the group (G27). While, no significant differences were detected between groups (GS21 and G21). The average of total MCM mixture intake for the 6 days by the group (GS21) was about 225.52 ml/kit. There was no significant difference detected for the feed cost between groups GS21 and G27. While, the feed cost per total weight gain of group GS21 was significantly lower than both groups G21 and G27. In conclusion, supplementing early weaning kits at 21 d with the MCM mixture for six days could be considered as a milk formula specifically designed to meet the kit's requirements, and a more expeditions method for delivering the artificial milk to kits.