ABSTRACT:The present study was conducted to evaluate 16 crosses between 4 breeds of rabbits from a physiological point of view. The breeds tested were Baladi Red (BR), Chinchilla Giganta (ChG), French Giant Papillon (FGP) and Simenwar (S). A total number of 6144 blood samples were collected to detect the effect of crossing, age of kits, month of kindling and sex effects. The traits evaluated were: haematological parameters; red blood cell count (RBCs), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit value (Ht%), biochemical parameters of plasma; total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin concentration (Glo), albumin/globulin ratio (Alb/Glo) and triglycerides (TG). BR or its crosses, using BR sires or BR dams, showed the highest value of RBCs, Hb and Ht%. Crossbred rabbits obtained from mating BR and FGP rabbits had the highest Glo values. Rabbits which were born in May-June months had the highest values of TP and its fractions (Alb and Glo). Age of kits had a highly signifi cant effect (P<0.001) on RBCs, Hb, Ht%, TP and TG. Moreover, Glo and Alb/Glo ratio (P<0.01) and Alb (P<0.05) were also signifi cantly affected. Sex had no signifi cant effect on all studied parameters. Signifi cant positive correlations were found between TP and each fi nal body weight, total weight gain, total feed intake, carcass weight and dressing percentage, while signifi cant negative correlation was found with feed conversion.

total number of 180 one-day old unsexed Cobb broiler chickens were initially fed a control diet for six days, then were divided into six treatments (30 birds each), each treatment contained three replicates of ten birds, and the objectives were to evaluate the effects of single or combined supplementation of essential oils (EOs) and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) to broiler diets on productive performance. The experimental treatments were as follows: 1-Chicks were fed the control diet (D 1). 2-D 1 + 0.1g thyme oil /kg diet. 3-D 1 + 0.2g thyme oil /kg diet. 4-D 1 + 1g aromabiotic /kg diet. 5-D 1 + 1g aromabiotic/kg diet + 0.1g thyme oil/kg diet. 6-D 1 +1g aromabiotic/kg diet +0.2g thyme oil/kg diet. Results obtained could be summarized in the following: The higher significantly value of live body weight at 38 day and body weight gain during the period from 7 to 38 days were obtained for chicks control diet. Inclusion of single or combined supplementation of EOs and MCFAs in the broiler diets at different levels had insignificant effects on feed intake during all periods studied. Chicks fed combined supplementation of EOs and MCFAs experimental diet (0.1g EOs/kg diet + 0.1% MCFAs) had best significantly feed conversion ratio during the period from 7-38 days of age compared with those fed the control diet and some other treatment. Combined supplementation of EOs and MCFAs to broiler diets caused significantly improves in performance index during the finisher period compared with those fed diets supplemented with MCFAs alone or the control. Chicks fed experimental diet containing 0.2g EOs/kg diet+ 0.1% MCFAs had significantly higher thymus and spleen% compared with those fed MCFAs alone, EOs alone and the control. Chicks fed diets supplemented with 0.2g EOs/kg diet+ 0.1% MCFAs had higher value of lymphocyte (lower values of eosinophiles, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total lipids, triglycerides and total cholesterol), Chicks fed diet containing 0.1g EOs/kg diet had higher intestinal pH, while; chicks fed diet containing 0.1% MCFAs resulted in the lower intestinal pH values (higher values of total count). The lower value of E.coli (significantly higher lactobacillus count) was obtained for chicks fed diet containing 0.2g EOs/kg diet+ 0.1% MCFAs. Chicks fed with 0.1g EOs/kg diet + 0.1% MCFAs had the highest economic and relative efficiency values during the period from 7 to 38 days.

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his experiment was carried out at El-Takamoly Poultry Project. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary propolis supplementation on immune response of broiler chicks. A total number of 200 unsexed one day-old Cobb broiler chicks were used in this experiment; the chicks were divided into five groups, with four replicates of ten chicks each. Chicks were fed a starter diet without propolis supplementation during the first 6 days of age. At the 7th day, birds were fed diets containing different levels of propolis (0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg) till the end of 6th weeks of age. Ethanolic extract of propolis was added to mixed diets. At 42 dy the blood hematological and biochemical parameters were determined, also , the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test was applied for determination of antibodies response in plasma and Commercial kits were used for detection of antibodies against nucleoprotein and matrix against of Newcastle disease (NDV) and avian influenza (AIDV). The present result revealed that the hematocrit level of chicks fed diet containing 400, 600 or 800 mg propolis was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than that of control-group. With respect to plasma total protein and globulin, it could be speculated that the supplemental propolis at 400, 600 or 800 mg significantly increased plasma total protein and globulin compared to control group, also there was highest antibodies concentration is related to 400, 600 and 800 mg/ kg propolis treatments for AI and ND, but 200 mg/kg propolis were not different from control group. There was no effect of propolis observed on Infectious bronchitis (IB) titration. In conclusion, the propolis may have positive effect on blood biochemical and humoral immunity of broilers.

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