Growth Performance and Feed Utilization during Fattening Period as Affected by Mannan-Oligo-Saccharides Addition to Californian Rabbits

This survey aimed to examine the effect of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) addition to rabbit's diet as alternative antibiotics on growth performance and nutrients utilization of growing rabbits. A 60 of Californian rabbits aged six-wks, splinted randomly into equal five groups. The control group fed a basal diet without any supplement; the second group fed the basal diet after antibiotics supplementation (Oxytetracycline, 1.0 g/ kg diet), while the third, fourth and fifth groups were fed the basal diet after MOS addition with 0.50, 1.0 and 1.5 g /kg, respectively during the entire experimental period (6-11 wks of age).The results revealed that all rabbits fed MOS diets had higher (P>0.05) live body weight at 11 wks, while rabbits fed 0.50 g MOS/kg had (P≤0.05) higher body weight gain during 6-11 wks of age comparing to the antibiotic and control groups. Moreover, feed conversion ratio were insignificantly (P>0.05) improved by feeding MOS/kg diets than the antibiotic group at the entire experimental period (6-11 wks) . All studied nutrients digestibility's coefficients improved by feeding 1.00 g MOS / kg  compared to the antibiotic and the control diet with or without significant effects. Dressed carcass percentage not significantly changed for rabbits fed MOS diet in comparison with antibiotic and control group. Therefore, the addition of 0.50 or 1.00 g MOS / kg diet may be an alternative material of antibiotics in weanling rabbits to maximize their productivity and profitability without adverse effects during fattening period.