THE BIOAKTIV ADDITIVE: PERFORMANCE, METABOLISM, AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY IN RABBITS

Abstract

The study evaluated the effects of the mineral additive BioAktiv on reproductive, productive, metabolic, and economic performance in rabbits under commercial farm conditions recently affected by rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). BioAktiv is a mineral product obtained using a patented technology that applies controlled electromagnetic fields to modify the physicochemical properties of a mixture of calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, and magnesium sulfate. The final product contains 36.3% calcium and exhibits stable physical characteristics, low toxicity, and high safety for animals and the environment. The experiment was conducted at the commercial rabbit farm SRL “Sof Fest,” on breeding females and their offspring, following a bifactorial design with control and experimental groups, where BioAktiv was administered at a dose of 400 g/t of compound feed. Monitored parameters included prolificacy, kit survival until weaning, growth dynamics, feed conversion, blood biochemical profile, and economic efficiency. Although reproductive performance showed no statistically significant differences between groups, kit survival was higher in the experimental group both at weaning (92.0% vs. 88.7%) and throughout the entire fattening period until slaughter (82.0% vs. 75.5%). Growth performance indicated a beneficial effect of the additive, with slaughter weight 18.3% higher in the experimental group compared to the control. Additionally, feed conversion ratio improved by 17.96%, indicating superior biological efficiency. Blood biochemical analyses showed that BioAktiv administration did not induce metabolic imbalances, with all values remaining within physiological limits. However, the experimental group demonstrated a metabolic profile suggestive of more efficient lipid and protein utilization, evidenced by increased total cholesterol, decreased triglycerides, and reduced urea and creatinine levels. Economic assessment revealed clear advantages in treated groups, with profit increasing by 28–30% and feed-cost efficiency improving by over 55 percentage points compared to controls. The results support the use of BioAktiv as a functional feed additive in commercial rabbit production, with further studies recommended under stable sanitary conditions to fully validate the observed effects.