This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of different levels of Rosemary and Marjoram plants ongrowth performance and digestion coefficientsof New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits.Seventy two weaned rabbits were divided into six groups. The 1st group was fed basal diet and served as control group, the 2nd and 3rd groups were fed the basal diet supplementedwithRosemary dry plant powder (1.5% and 3.0%, respectively), 4th and 5thgroups were fed the basal diet supplemented with Marjoram dryplant powder (1.5% and 3.0%, respectively), the 6th group was fed the basal diet supplemented with mixture of (1. 5% Rosemary dry +1.5% Marjoram dry).At the end of the experiment eighteen rabbit males were used in digestibility trail. Carcass traits and blood metabolites were determined by slaughtering 3 rabbits from each group at the end of the growth period.
The obtained results revealed that,final body weight and daily body weight gain were significantly (P≤0.05) higher with 1.5 % rosemary, 1.5 % marjoram and their mixture compared to control and other treatment groups. Feed conversion significantly (P≤0.05) improved in rabbits fed diet containing 1.5% marjoram compared with control group. Also, rabbits fed diet supplemented with 1.5% marjoramshowed the lowest (P≤0.05) feed intake compared with control group and other treatments.
The digestibility of DM, OM, CP and EE and NFE, significantly (P≤0.05) improved with diet supplemented with 1.5% rosemary. The same trend was observed in TDN%. However, The DCP % in rabbits fed diet supplemented with 1.5 % rosemary and 1.5 % marjoram was significantly (p≤0.05) higher than of those the other diets. Rabbits fed diet with 1.5% rosemary and 3% marjoram significantly increased dressing percentage.
Rabbit of the 3 % rosemary group had higher (P<0.05) blood globulin level. Serum glucose significantly increased in group fed mixture (1.5% rosemary +1.5% marjoram).Rabbit of the 3 % marjoram group had higher (P<0.05) blood cholesterol and total lipids. Rabbit of the 3 % rosemary group had higher (P<0.05) blood globulin and creatinine. Serum blood AST and ALT increased (P≤0.05) in rabbits fed 3 % rosemary. Feeding growing rabbits in control, 1.5 rosemary and 1.5% marjoram had a significant tendency (P ≤ 0.05) to increase serum hemoglobin and hematocrit .Rabbits fed diets without any medicinal additives had significant (P ≤ 0.05) red blood cells.
In conclusion, inclusion of 1.5% of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) or marjoram (Origanum majorana) plants in NZW rabbit rations as a natural source of antioxidants improved live body weight, body weight gain, carcass traits, digestibility of nutrients and economic efficiency under north Sinai conditions without any adverse effects in on performance.