An economic comparison of two rabbit genotypes for productive and carcass traits

Abstract

The aim of the study was to carry out an economic evaluation of crossbred rabbits originated from Pannon Large (PL) and Hungarian Giant (HG) bucks based on the most important cost factors of feed and the revenue from processed products. Pannon Ka (maternal line) does were inseminated with PL and HG sperm. The crossbred rabbits (n = 336) were weaned at 5 weeks of age, their body weight and feed intake were measured fortnightly. Rabbits were reared until the age of 12 weeks. The weight of whole carcass, head, heart and lung, liver, kidneys, fore part, loin fillet, mid part’s bone, thigh meat, and thigh bone were quantified. The revenue from whole carcass and carcass parts were based on the Italian market price. Gross margin was calculated on the level of production chain (including farm and slaughterhouse). Feed intake (147 and 132 g/day), weight gain (42.3 and 39.5 g/day) and body weight at 12 weeks of age (3.17 and 2.94 kg) were lower by 10.2%, 6,6% and 7.43%, respectively in Group MxHG than in MxPL rabbits. A 0.9% difference was observed in dressing out percentage, in favour of MxPL (62.7% and 61.6%). Ratios of fore-, mid-, hind part and perirenal+scapular fat to reference carcass were 27.5%, 33.4%, 36.9% and 2.16% in MxPL rabbits, whereas 27.1%, 33.6% 37.3% and 1.94% in MxHG group. Total cost of production was 3.82 and 4.20, while total revenue from carcass parts were 7.68 and 8.49 €/rabbit for MxHG and MxPL, respectively. Results showed a 11% difference between gross margin values of MxHG and MxPL, meaning that 11% more rabbit product of MxHG should be sold in order to obtain the same revenue as of MxPL. It can be concluded that productive performance and dressing out percentage were significantly lower in HG rabbits than in PL group, also gross margin difference is considerable, therefore Hungarian Giant rabbits could be used mainly in alternative, organic rabbit production systems in which their lower performaces are compensated by a higher price of sold rabbits. Keywords: rabbit genotypes, production, carcass traits, economic evaluation, gross margin