Effect of humic substances on the reproduction parameters of farmed brown hare: Short communication

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of humic acids on the reproduction parameters of farmed brown hares and the possibility of their utilisation as prevention of gastrointestinal tract diseases when feeding green fodder. Animals were divided into three groups, 4 breeding pairs per group. Brown hares in the control group were fed granulated feed mixture without additives. The hares in experimental groups were fed granulated feed mixture with HUMAC Natur additive, purchased from Humacon, at 1 % concentration. The experimental group 2 was fed also green fodder during the entire experiment (April - September) in addition to the granulated feed mixture. In the experimental group 1, the ratio of live born leverets was significantly higher by 19.54 % (P ≤ 0.05) and the ratio of weaned leverets was higher by 9.74 % compared to the control group, but no significant differences were found. The significantly highest mortality (12.50 %; P ≤ 0.001) before weaning (28 days of age) was determined in the experimental group 1. In the experimental group 2 was the highest ratio of weaned leverets (89.19; no significant differences was found) and no increase in mortality, as a result of feeding green fodder, was determined.