الفهرس 
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Abstract
Mortalities are common in young rabbits in the first two months of life. Data on causes and
rates of mortality are crucial for determining profitability and net income in commercial rabbit
farming. However, studies on causes and rates of mortality on rabbit farms during pre-and postweaning stages are limited. The objective of this study was to know the causes of mortality
between young rabbits and the solutions of these problems. Also, The comparison of
therapeutic antibiotics and/or probiotics for protective efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus
infection and impact on growing rabbits. Firstly, we evaluated the effect of nursing programs
(open, semi-closed, and closed) on mortality rates. Pregnant does rear in 15 separate cages with
nest boxes till parturition (15 pregnant does were divided into three groups n=5 does).
Secondly, we demonstrated the effects of adding probiotics on S. aureus infection. Weaned kits
infected with Staphylococcus aureus (18 weaned kits experimentally infected with S. aureus
then divided into three groups; n=6). The results show that the peak of mortalities was detected
between 1-7 days of age, as a result of the poor nursing and decline of immunity. Maternal
causes such as decrease nursing behavior, and stress factors as cold were the most predominant
factors of pre-weaning mortalities. On the other hand, the lowest mortality rate occurs in semiclosed nursing programs. Also, the semi-closed nursing program recorded the highest value in
body wt. and body weight gain. Furthermore, this study highlights that, although therapeutic
antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, probiotics minimize the drastic effect of infection and
clinical signs also this translate to a decrease the mortality rates. It is of great importance to
draw the attention of the work done in this field to the real size of the problem among the
Egyptian farm rabbits and to explain the role played by another etiological agent which is
involved in the mortalities of young kits. This will facilitate the veterinarian for tracing and
controlling such problems.