They are generally succulent and highly palatable. However, the cost per unit of nutrients is too high for the commercial producer, and the high water content renders them bulky and too low in energy for efficient meat production and for lactating females. Salt requirements are unknown for rabbits. Disadvantages of salt blocks include greater cost, greater labor, and cage corrosion in moist climates. In general, antibiotics have not shown consistent beneficial effects on growth, but in some cases they have aided in the control of enteritis.
Sulfonamides help control coccidiosis, and nitrofurans have limited effect on enteritis.
Sulfaquinoxaline at .025 percent fed continuously for 30 days, or intermittently for two days per week, or .1 percent for two weeks may be included as an aid in controlling coccidiosis. Zinc bacitracin has no effect on growth but reduces the severity of enteritis. Virginiamycin has produced a growth response. Sulfamethazine, sulfamerazine, and sulfaquinoxaline control liver coccidiosis. Intestinal coccidiosis is successfully treated with sulfamonomethoxine and sulfadimethoxine.