Effect of restricted feeding on productive and carcass traits of rabbits

Szendrő, Zsolt and Romvári, Róbert and Matics, Zsolt and Radnai, István (2022) Effect of restricted feeding on productive and carcass traits of rabbits. ACTA AGRARIA KAPOSVÁRIENSIS, 26 (2). pp. 27-39. ISSN 1418-1789

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Abstract

The study examined the age-dependent feed restriction on growing rabbits' growth and carcass traits. Three groups of weaned rabbits (5 weeks of age, n=243)) were established: AL=control group: ad libitum feeding during the whole fattening period (n=81), RF65 group: 65% of the feed consumption of AL during the first two weeks after weaning, 80% in the third, 100% in the fourth week and ad libitum afterward (n=81), RF70 group: 70% in the first two weeks, 80% in the third, 100% in the fourth week and ad libitum till slaughtering (n=81). Feed consumption was in line with the planned level during the feed restriction period. After finishing the restriction at 100%, the feed consumption increased rapidly, and it was higher between 9 and 11 weeks of age than that of the AL group (P<0.001). Daily weight gain of restricted groups was lower between 5 and 7 weeks of age (47.7 vs. 28.9 and 25.2 g/day in AL, RF70, and RF65, respectively, P<0.001). The differences in body weights were highest at seven weeks of age, and later the differences decreased (body weight at 11 weeks, AL: 2710 g, RF65: 2637 g, RF70: 2655 g, P <0.05). In the first week, the feed conversion rate was better in the AL group, while between 7 and 10 weeks of age, it was better in the restricted groups (P<0.001). Significant differences were found in mortality but independent of treatment. The feed restriction had a slight effect on carcass traits. The weight of the fore part of the carcass was higher in the AL group (P=0.053), while the liver was heavier in the restricted rabbits (84.2 vs. 80.1 g, P=0.388). The perirenal fat content was the lowest in RF65 rabbits (16.9 g) and the highest in the AL group (21.6 g, P<0.05). A stricter and then milder feed restriction after weaning and ad libitum feeding in the final fattening stages could be preferred.

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