An experiment was conducted on 190 progeny (winter -74; summer -59; rainy -57) of 12 Grey Giant rabbits (10 female +2 males), to assess the effect of different seasons in a year, on their reproductive, growth and productive performances along with feed efficiency, under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions. The daily meteorological attributes recorded during winter (October to March), summer (April to June) and rainy (July to September) seasons, and analysed were minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Various biological parameters recorded were doe weights at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, kit mortality, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, weekly body weight up to 98 d and weaner mortality. Individual weight gains, dressing percentages, meat weights, liver weights, raw-pelt weights, processed pelt weights and processed pelt areas at slaughter on d 84 and 98, respectively were also recorded. The feed and fodder compositions and their nutritive values during different seasons were also analysed. Average ambient temperature during winter, summer and rainy seasons were 13.2±2.8, 22.4±3.7 and 24.8±2.3°C, respectively. The average relative humidity and total rainfall for winter, summer and rainy seasons were 68.9±1.5% and 48±26.6mm, 66.3±4.8% and 125.6±56.8 mm, and 77.3±1.3% and 116.3±90.4 mm, respectively. The weight of doe at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth and litter size at weaning were comparatively higher whereas litter weight at weaning was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter as compared to summer and rainy seasons. The kit mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while the weaner mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during rainy season. At 84 d, the live weight per doe, slaughter weight, dressing percentage and liver weight were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter than summer and rainy. Similarly, the gain in weight and meat weight at 84 and 98 d were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter. The weight of raw pelt and processed pelt were recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while no difference in the area of processed pelts during different seasons could be observed. No difference in the biological performance could be observed between sexes in any of the seasons. Roughage analysis revealed comparatively higher crude protein percent and lower crude fibre percent during summer and rainy seasons than in winter. The roughage dry matter intake was comparatively higher during summer and rainy seasons vis-a-vis constant amount of concentrate supplied during all the three seasons. The digestibilities of dry matter was significantly (p<0.05) lower, whereas that of crude fiber, acid detergent fibre and cellulose were negative during winter. Interestingly, the feed:gain was exceedingly well during winter than in other seasons and it is concluded that it was the best season for production of rabbits under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions.

An experiment of one-year duration was conducted on sixteen adult male German Angora rabbits under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions, to assess the effect of seasons on their body weight, wool production and quality, plane of nutrition and the digestibilities of nutrients. The daily meteorological attribute viz. minimum and maximum temperature; relative humidity and rainfall were recorded during winter (October to March), summer (April to June) and rainy (July to September) seasons. Biological parameters viz. body weight at the time of shearing, wool yield of individual rabbit, quality attributes of wool, fortnightly dry matter intake, chemical composition of feed and fodder and digestibilities of nutrients were recorded. Average minimum and maximum ambient temperature during winter, summer and rainy seasons were 4.6±1.9 and 21.4±2.8; 13.6±2 and 30.3±2; and 20.0±1.4 and 31.0±1.8°C, respectively. The average relative humidity and total rainfall during winter, summer and rainy season were 69.5±2.9% and 74.7±21.8 mm; 58.6±2.2% and 38.1±18.1 mm; and 69±4.2% and 104.0±43.7 mm, respectively. The body weight of rabbits increased during all seasons, however, the maximum average daily weight gain of 3.47±0.1 g was observed during the rainy season. The wool yield differed significantly (p≤0.05) among different seasons with highest (140.4±10 g) and lowest (108.5±6.9 g) during winter and summer, respectively. The wool yield during the rainy season was 123.3±5.2 g. The wool quality attributes revealed non-significant differences for staple length, fiber diameter, medulation percent, percent pure fibers and percent guard hairs. Plane of nutrition revealed significant (p≤0.05) differences for concentrate intake. The concentrate intake was highest during winter (124.4±2.6 g) followed by summer (86.8±8.9 g) and rainy (80.7±11.8 g) seasons. The reverse trend was observed in roughage intake with significantly (p≤0.05) lower intake during winter and highest during summer months. As a result total dry matter intake during different seasons was similar. Significant differences (p≤0.05) were observed for digestibilities of crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, acid detergent fiber and cellulose. Digestibility of crude protein was highest during winter whereas the digestibilities of crude fiber, ether extract, acid detergent fiber and cellulose remained higher during the rainy season. During the winter season, the dry matter used for producing 100 g of wool was substantially lower than during other seasons and was concluded to be the best season for production of Angora wool under subtemperate Himalayan conditions.

No abstract

Trichobezoars (formations of hair balls that can not pass through the pyloric valve) are responsible of some of deaths observed in Angora rabbirs. A total of 160 trichobezoar deaths corresponding to 28.6% of total deaths were recorded during a reported period of five years. The highest mortality due to hair balls was recorded in 2001 (36.4 %) and was least in 1999 (9.4%). Of the four breeds, the highest trichobezoar death records were obtained in Russian Angoras and the lowest in German Angoras. Trichobezoars occur more frequently in winter months than other months. Besides trichobezoars, other causes of death recorded were pneumonia, suppurative pneumonia, peritonitis, rupture of stomach, gastroenteritis, cardiac failure and a small number of miscellaneous causes. In most of the cases, large, single trichobezoars were located in the stomach. The stomach contents of the trichobezoar deaths were mainly watery and scanty faeces and hard semisolid faeces. The ball obstructed the stomach occupying the opening of the pyloric valve. Pathomorphological lesions were noted in stomach, liver, lungs, heart and kidney.

This study aims to develop high fiber breakfast food rich in nutritional and functional components (β-glucan, antioxidants, and insoluble fiber) and identify the future possibilities of commercial product. Based on the 15 days survey carried out on Kathmandu, an optimum formulation (86% cereal, 5% nuts, 7% dried fruits and 2% pumpkin seed) of product was found at first 3 trails. Formulated sample was found to be superior in terms of nutritional qualities (protein %- 13.82±0.67, crude fiber %- 7.8±0.96, β-glucan%- 3.13±0.35, total polyphenol GAE- 458.33±10.4) and sensory qualities (color, flavor, size, shape, texture, overall acceptance) than market sample (Protein%- 12.39±1.54, crude fiber%- 5.18±0.9, β-glucan%- 1.18±0.07, total polyphenol GAE- 163.3±58.6). The product was further developed by varying processing methods (germinating, non-germinating wheat and instant (60°C) and gradual drying (50°C, 55°C, 60°C, 70°C)). Formulation having germinated wheat and instant dried (60°C) was found to be superior in terms of color, texture,  avor and overall acceptance. The product was further subjected to chemical and functional analysis, cost analysis (Rs.42), microbiological analysis (TPC-1.8x103, Yeast count- 400cfu/g, Mold count- 300cfu/g), storage stability test (aw=0.113). Statistical analysis showed no significance difference among products of varying drying pattern but difference among germinated and non-germinated products. Consumer perceptibility test showed 64% of the consumer accepted muesli as the best product than commercial breakfast cereals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jfstn.v7i0.10612   J. Food Sci. Technol. Nepal, Vol. 7 (76-80), 2012