Effect of Butyrate Products on Performance of Rabbits

The UE ban on the use of antibiotic in animal feed have increased the interest on search additives be able of improving animal digestive health. In rabbits, the activity of organic acids was proved on various strains of Clostridum perfringens and Escherichia coli (Marounek et al. 2002). The next trial, carry out in commercial farm in Spain, had the objective to assess the effect of butyrate – based feed products on rabbit production. The products evaluated in this trial were: ST (combination of organic and inorganic acids with butyric acid glycerides) and NATESSE (combination of essential oils with sodium butyrate). A total of 4752 weaned male rabbits, 5 weeks old, were randomly divided in 3 treatments: control (without additive), ST and NATESSE. Both products were added at the same dosage during the same period: 1,5 ml/liter from 25 d to 50 d.Body weight (43 and 50 d) and mortality (49, 56 and 63 d) were evaluated. The NATESSE addition improved rabbit body weight in 15.4% and 6% vs control and ST respectively at 50 d. At the end of the trial (63d) , animals fed with NATESSE had the lowest rate of mortality (3.9%), meanwhile ST had 4.3% and control group without addtives had 5.4%. We can conclude that the addition of butyrate – based ingredients in rabbits feed might help to reduce mortality and to improve animal body weight