The withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) from the list of allowed feed additives forced livestock producers to look for legal and safe substitutes. These included probiotics, synbiotics, enzymes and proenzymes, minerals, organic and inorganic acids, as well as phytobiotics, i.e. plant extracts and substances dervied from herbs. Medicinal plants contain a range of biologically active compounds in various combinations, thus they may have a varied effect on the animal body. Here we review the properties of a number of medicinal plants used in the feeding of livestock animals, such as cattle, poultry and swine. The research has confirmed the effectiveness of herbal substances as natural growth promoters and proved they represent an alternative for banned antibiotics. Phytobotics also prove to be a positive factor in relation to both animal health and productivity in terms of quality and quantity, in cattle (milk and beef), pigs (pork yield and reproductive performance) and poultry (egg laying yield in laying hens and broiler chickens). Health improvement is the most pronounced outcome of an application of herbs and herbal feed additives, which has been reflected in blood tests. The interest in phytobiotics as a natural food component will continue to grow, along with the consumers' awareness and the growing demand for healthy food products. To achieve the desired effects, it is not enough to replace the antibiotics with herbs or to add them to the feed. In the first place, it is a ballanced feed ration, animal welfare and appropriate veterinary prophylaxis that should be taken care of.

The aim of the study was to analyze the role of breeding and utilization of cold-blooded horses. The analysis was based on both published statistical data and our own survey conducted in order to examine the level of horse meat consumption among Poles and to check their food preferences regarding this type of meat. We found that horse meat is virtually absent on Polish tables. This is due to the emotional attitude the Poles foster towards horses, so half of the respondents were entirely against horse meat consumption. Despite the varied attitude of respondents towards horse meat consumption, the analysis of statistical data shows that since 2013 the number of farms keeping 10 or more cold-blooded horses has been increasing. The current direction of changes, such as the development of agritourism, an increase in the number of organic farms, farmers joining agri-environmental programs or supporting activities for sustainable agriculture, will probably increase the scale of cold-blooded horse farming.

The aim of the study was the statistical analysis of conformation traits of New Zealand white rabbits from a breeding farm for a period of ten years. Analysis of variance showed a statistically highly significant effect of gender on body size and weight of the animal, as well as on fur quality, body built and racial type. The year of license had statistically highly significant impact on animal size, body weight, fur quality, the specific racial features, body built, racial type and the total number of points received by the rabbits. The interaction of gender and year of license had statistically high impact only on body weight, while there was no statistically significant effect for other analyzed traits. The study also estimated phenotypic correlations between the studied traits. The correlations were quite varied and ranged between 0.772 (between racial type and the year of the license) to 0.6017 (between body built and the total sum of points).Keywords: breeding, New Zealand White, body built, evaluation, use, statistical analysis. IntroductionBreeding of rabbits, although known for a long time, is relatively young as a branch of animal production. It reached more significant economic importance, both in Poland and worldwide, only in the sixties of the twentieth century, when the global turnover of meat rabbit intensified. The breed of rabbits, which was and is very important in rearing and breeding is New Zealand white. The aim of the study was the statistical analysis of conformation traits of New Zealand white rabbits from a breeding farm for a period of ten years. Material and methodsThe present paper analyzes the conformation traits of New Zealand white rabbits. The analysis was conducted on the basis of a license evaluation of animals from a breeding farm. The assessment included a period of 10 years. 858 animals were analyzed, including 117 males and 741 females. During the license evaluation, as given in Rabbit Model (Frindt, 2000), the following characteristics were taken into account: body weight, body build, racial type, fur quality and specific racial traits. For every feature an animal could receive a maximum of 10 or 20 points. The lowest permissible rabbit weight at the age of 8 months and over was 3.5 kg; the highest 5.5 kg. While assessing males and females at exhibitions, body weight by 5 % lower than aforementioned was allowed, for this trait an animal might receive a maximum of 10 points. Body built had to be harmonious whit Trunk of medium length, cylindrical, well muscled, well developed front and hindquarters, broad shoulders and dorsal part. The head firmly set on a short neck, close to the body. Limbs were strong, massive and short. A small, symmetrical, single dewlap was allowed in older females (over 1 year). It had short tail close to the body. The maximum number of points for this feature was 20.

The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze the body type traits in mink of different color variants, over a period of a few years, compared against the current mink evaluation standard. The mink were managed on mink farms located in northwestern Poland. The analysis covered the years 2011-2018. A statistically significant effect of color variant, year of assessment and farm, on which the license took place, was found. The highest average grades for the type were achieved by the mink in 2014, while the color variant achieving best grades was Standard mink. Sapphire mink attained a similar rating. The variability of the assessment of the mink type, measured by the coefficient of variation, ranged within 24.86-33.99%, depending on the adopted criterion. The mink with grade B were characterized by the highest percentage share among the tested animals. These represented 45% of all mink assessed.

The dog is a diverse species both in terms of behavior, size and lifespan. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of dogs. This paper examines, among others, the effect of breed on the length and quality of a dog's life, the effect of owner and social environment on a dogs quality of life, the effect of utility on a dogs quality of life, and the effect of nutrition on a dog's length and quality of life. The size of a dog is a well-known factor affecting the length of its life. Purebred dogs are known to have higher health burdens and shorter life spans than non-breed dogs and inter-breed hybrids of the same size. The length and quality of life of dogs is also affected by the quality of the bond with the owner and the owner's awareness of preventive veterinary care. A stimulating environment, and proper nutrition taking into account the dogs specific breed or health requirements, are also important for the quality and length of canine life.