Effect of restricted feeding on productive and carcass traits of rabbits

Authors

  • Zsolt Szendrő* Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Kaposvár Campus, *Corresponding author: szendro.zsolt@uni-mate.hu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0359-150X
  • Róbert Romvári Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Kaposvár Campus
  • Zsolt Matics Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Kaposvár Campus
  • István Radnai

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31914/aak.2946

Keywords:

growing rabbit, feed restriction, growth performance, carcass traits

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.

References

Alabiso, M., Di Grigoli, A., Mazza, F., Maniaci, G., Vitale, F., Bonanno, A. (2017) A 3-week feed re-striction after weaning as an alternative to a medicated diet: effects on growth, health, carcass and meat traits of rabbits of two genotypes. Animal, 11(9), 1608–1616. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S175173111600269X

Birolo M., Trocino A., Tazzoli M., Xiccato G. (2017) Effect of feed restriction and feeding plans on performance, slaughter traits and body composition of growing rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 25, 113-122. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2017.6748

Birolo M., Trocino A., Zuffellato A., Xiccato G. (2020) Effects of time-based feed restriction on mor-bidity, mortality, performance and meat quality of growing rabbits housed in collective sys-tems. Animal, 14, 626-635. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731119002283

Birolo M., Trocino A., Zuffellato A., Xiccato G. (2021) Performance, mortality and slaughter traits of group–housed rabbits submitted to different time-based feed restriction programs. Proc. 12th World Rabbit Congress, Nantes, France, Comm. F-02

Blasco A., Ouhayoun J. (1996) Harmonization of criteria and terminology in rabbit meat research. Revised proposal. World Rabbit Sci., 4, 93-99. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/wrs.1996.278

Cantier A., Vezinhet R., Rouvier R., Dauzier L. (1969) Allometrie de croissance chez le lapin (O. cuniculus). 1. Principaux organes et tissues. Ann. Biol. Anim. Biochim. Biophys. 9, 5-39.

Crespo R., Alfonso C., Saiz del Barrio A., Garcia-Ruiz A.I., Marco, M., Nicodemus N. (2020) Effect of feed restriction on performance, carcass yield and nitrogen and energy balance in growing rab-bits. Livest. Sci., 241, 104278 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104278

Gidenne T., Feugier A. (2009) Feed restriction strategy in the growing rabbit. 1. Impact on digestion, rate of passage and microbial activity. Animal, 3, 501–508. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731108003789

Gidenne T., Feugier A., Jehl N., Arveus P., Boisot P., Briens C., Corrent E., Fortune H., Montessuy S., Verdelhan S. (2003) Un rationnement alimentaire quantitatif postsevrage permet de réduire la fréquences des dierrhées, sans dégradation importante des performances de croissance: résultat d’une étude multi-site. Proc. 10émes Journ. Rech. Cunicole, Paris, 29-32.

Gidenne T., Combes S., Feugier A., Jehl N., Arveux P., Boisot P., Briens C., Corrent E., Fortune H., Montessuy S., Verdelhan S. (2009) Feed restriction strategy in the growing rabbit. 2. Impact on digestive health, growth and carcass characteristics. Animal, 3, 509-515. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731108003790

Gidenne T., Combes S., Fortun-Lamothe L. (2012) Feed intake limitation strategies for the growing rabbit: effect on feeding behaviour, welfare, performance, digestive physiology and health: a re-view. Animal, 6, 1407-1419. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731112000389

Knudsen C., Combes S., Briens C., Coutelet G., Duperray J., Rebours G., Salaun J-F., Travel A., Weissman D., Gidenne T. (2017) Substituting starch with digestible fiber does not impact on health status or growth in restricted fed rabbits. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 226, 152-161. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.01.002

Nielsen S.S., Alvarez J., Bicout D.J., Calistri P., Depne K. et al. (2021) Health and welfare of rabbits farmed in different production systems. Scientific opinion. EFSA Journal, 18(1), 1-96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.5944

Pascual M., Martin E., Fabre C., Garreau H., Gilbert H., Piles M., Sánchez M.1, Sánchez J.P. (2021) Is feed restriction an alternative to the use of antibiotics in non-controlled environment farms? Proc. 12th World Rabbit Congress, Nantes, France, Comm. F-13

Perrier G. (1998) Influence de deu niveaux et deux durées de restriction alimentaire sur l’efficacité productive du lapin et les caractéristiques bouchéres de la carcasse. Proc. 7éme Journ. Rech. Cu-nicole, Lyon, 179-182.

Szendrő Zs., Szabó S., Hullár I. (1988) Effect of reduction of eating time on production of growing rabbits. Proc. 4th World Rabbit Congress, Budapest, 104-114.

Thwaites C.J. (1989) Growth, feed and water intake after feed or water restriction in the New Zea-land White rabbits. J. Appl. Rabbit Res., 12, 86-89.

WRC (2021) http://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2021-Nantes/Nantes-2021-01.htm

Downloads

Published

2022-12-27

How to Cite

Effect of restricted feeding on productive and carcass traits of rabbits. (2022). ACTA AGRARIA KAPOSVARIENSIS, 26(2), 27-39. https://doi.org/10.31914/aak.2946

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3 4