The aim of the experiment was to examine the effect of feeding on productive performance and carcass traits, to gather information about the difference between growing rabbits fed by only pelleted diet or pellet plus hay. The genotypes, housing and feeding conditions were the same as in the previous experiment (Szendrő et al.). Data (between 5 and 12 wk) were evaluated by multi-factor analysis of variance, but only the effect of feeding was calculated. The differences in body weight between Pellet and P+Hay rabbits were significant from 9 wk of age, in favour of the Pellet group. The differences in weight gain and feed intake were significant between 5-12 wk (11 g/d and 1.3 g/d, respectively), in favour of Pellet rabbits. However, there were no significant differences in feed conversion ratio and mortality. The dressing out percentage was higher by 0.4-0.7% in the Pellet group than in P+Hay rabbits. The ratio of hind part to reference carcass was higher in the P+Hay group, and those of perirenal- and scapular fat were higher in the Pellet group. Hay supplementation did not influence the ratio of fore- and mid-parts compared to the reference carcass. However, the ratio of ear lesions was affected by hay supplementation (8.3 and 20.6%; P=0.003, in Pellet and P+Hay, respectively). It can be concluded that feeding growing rabbits with pellet plus hay resulted in significantly, but slightly lower body weight and a longer fattening period to reach the same weight. On the other hand, animals fed by pellet plus hay presented fewer ear lesions.
Effect of feeding (only pelleted diet or pellet plus hay) on productive and carcass traits of growing rabbits
DALLE ZOTTE, ANTONELLA;
2015
Abstract
The aim of the experiment was to examine the effect of feeding on productive performance and carcass traits, to gather information about the difference between growing rabbits fed by only pelleted diet or pellet plus hay. The genotypes, housing and feeding conditions were the same as in the previous experiment (Szendrő et al.). Data (between 5 and 12 wk) were evaluated by multi-factor analysis of variance, but only the effect of feeding was calculated. The differences in body weight between Pellet and P+Hay rabbits were significant from 9 wk of age, in favour of the Pellet group. The differences in weight gain and feed intake were significant between 5-12 wk (11 g/d and 1.3 g/d, respectively), in favour of Pellet rabbits. However, there were no significant differences in feed conversion ratio and mortality. The dressing out percentage was higher by 0.4-0.7% in the Pellet group than in P+Hay rabbits. The ratio of hind part to reference carcass was higher in the P+Hay group, and those of perirenal- and scapular fat were higher in the Pellet group. Hay supplementation did not influence the ratio of fore- and mid-parts compared to the reference carcass. However, the ratio of ear lesions was affected by hay supplementation (8.3 and 20.6%; P=0.003, in Pellet and P+Hay, respectively). It can be concluded that feeding growing rabbits with pellet plus hay resulted in significantly, but slightly lower body weight and a longer fattening period to reach the same weight. On the other hand, animals fed by pellet plus hay presented fewer ear lesions.
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