Effect of a diet supplemented with nettle (Urtica dioica L.) or fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on the litter size and milk yield of rabbits

Abstract

The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the effect of the addition of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves or fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds to rabbit feed on their breeding and lactation performance. The research material was female Blanc de Termonde rabbits (n = 22) and their offspring – four consecutive litters. The does were divided into three feeding groups, and each group was fed ad libitum a commercial pelleted complete feed with min. 17,5% crude protein, max. 15% crude fibre, and 2-3% crude fat. The diet for does in the control group (n = 6) contained wheat bran, dried alfalfa, extracted soybeans, barley, beet pulp, sunflower meal, and a vitamin and mineral supplement. The does in experimental group I (n = 8) were fed a diet enriched with 2% dried nettle leaves, while the diet for experimental group II (n = 8) contained fenugreek seeds (2%). The rabbits were mated between 10 and 14 days after kindling. To examine the effect of the herbal supplements on the does’ reproductive and lactation performance, the following information was collected: number of rabbits born per litter, litter weight at 24 h after birth and at 21 days of age, and milk yield. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS statistical package. The results show positive effects of the use of nettle leaves and fenugreek seeds in the diet of female rabbits, but this should be confirmed in further research.