Impact of breed and feed restriction on carcass traits in the growing rabbits

Abstract EN

The aim of current study was to evaluate the effect of rabbit’ breeds (Red Baladi (RB), and New Zealand White (NZW) breeds), and feed restriction for two weeks (started at 11 and 12 weeks age till they reached 15 weeks of age) on growth performance traits (live body weight and carcass characteristics of growing rabbits).

Rabbits were fed ad libitum till they reached 11 weeks of age.

Three experimental groups were performed ; 1st group was the control 0 %, 2nd and 3rd groups were fed 60 % and 80 % from ad libitum feeding, respectively.

This study resulted in, not only the body weight was affected either by breeds or feed-restriction, but also the feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly affected.

In addition, viability rate (%) during feed restriction to slaughter was similar in all studied groups.

Interestingly, although, feed restriction hadn’t effect on scaling a percentage or total edible parts at slaughter, the breeds showed the significant effect on these traits.

Furthermore, there were significant effects of breed, feed restriction, and their interactions on both abdominal fat and viscera.

Additionally, there were no significant effects of either breeds or feed restriction on kidney weight, but the liver weight affected significantly by interactions between breed and feed restricted.

In conclusion, the feed restriction was recommended for two weeks period starting from 11th week of rabbit's age to enhance the growth performance and the carcass characteristics of rabbits.