Abstract

Background:
The quality of meat, short life cycles, prolific nature, and efficient feed utilization make rabbits an interesting farm animal and an emerging business entity. Intensive farming still poses many types of stress that can lead to multifactorial gastrointestinal syndrome. The ban on antibiotics and the need for sustainable solutions make probiotic supplementation a possible strategy to improve rabbit growth performance.

Aim:
This study aimed to characterize the effect of the probiotic in rabbits by measuring fecal parameters, including weight, dry matter, pH, and consistency, to confirm their beneficial use.

Methods:
To perform a multicentric study, three trials were organized, including 30 animals/trial, and were randomly allocated into two groups: a TRT, with the administration of an oral paste containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, and a control group (CTR). Fecal weight, dry matter, pH, and consistency were recorded weekly.

Results:
Significant increases in fecal weight were observed in the CTR and TRT groups across the 45-day study period (p < 0.0001). Unlike the CTR group, the TRT group exhibited a consistent and significant decrease in fecal pH and an increase in fecal dry matter and fecal hardness throughout the study period (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that L. acidophilus supplementation improved fecal consistency and fecal dry matter and reduced fecal pH, potentially improving the caecotrophy behavior with a beneficial effect on nutrient digestibility.

Key words: Lactobacillus; Fecal parameters; Probiotic; Rabbits.