The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of nutritional supply during foetal, suckling and growing periods on carcass traits and meat quality of rabbits. New-born rabbits (n=224) were divided into three groups according to their birth weight (low/L/: 35-50 g, medium/M/: 58-62 g, high/H/: 70- 88 g). Half of the litters were nursed by one doe (O), while the other half by two does (T). After weaning at 3 weeks, from the age of 4 weeks half of the rabbits were fed ad libitum, while the other half was reared on a restricted feeding regime corresponding to 85-90% of the ad libitum feed intake level. Rabbits were slaughtered at 11 weeks of age. Body weight at slaughter of L rabbits was 124 g lower than M and 255 g lower than H rabbits (P<0.05). L group had the highest (58.0%) while M rabbits the lowest dressing out percentage (57.3%) (P<0.05). Ratio of hind part was significantly (P<0.05) higher in H group (39.0%) than in L group (38.1%). Ratio of perirenal fat was the highest in L rabbits (2.10%) and the lowest in H group (1.64%) (P<0.05). Value of WHC was 1.8% lower (P<0.05) in H rabbits compared to L and M animals. Slaughter weight of T rabbits was 198 g higher (P<0.001) than that of group O. Dressing out percentage was 0.7% (P=0.002) lower in T rabbits. In group T the cooking loss of m. Longissimus dorsi was 1.6% lower (P=0.003) than in group O. In consequence of feed restriction the slaughter weight and dressing out percentage decreased by 141 g (P<0.001) and 0.8% (P=0.001), respectively. Feeding regime influenced all the meat quality parameters except the b* value of meat colour. Rabbits in restricted group had 0.08 (P<0.001) lower pH, while 1.1 (P<0.001) higher L* and 0.7 (P=0.008) lower a* values of m. Longissimus dorsi. The cooking loss of m. Longissimus dorsi of restricted rabbits was 1.2% higher (P=0.03). Birth weight x number of nursing does x feeding interaction had significant (P<0.05) influence on the lipid content of m. Longissimus dorsi: the highest lipid content was found in MOA rabbits (2.30%) while the lowest in HOA (1.18%) and in LOR (1.21%) groups. Birth weight x number of nursing does interaction was significant on the proportion of m. Longissimus dorsi to reference carcass weight (P=0.03) and on meat to bone ratio (P=0.02). Highest ratio of m. Longissimus dorsi was found in LO and MO groups (11.9%), while LT rabbits showed the lowest value (11.4%). Meat to bone ratio was the highest in HT rabbits; it differed significantly (P<0.05) from other groups except MT. These results show that the nutrient supply during foetal and suckling ages has a long term effect which could be important in terms of carcass traits and meat quality as well.
Titolo: | Effect of nutritional status of kits on carcass traits and meat quality (preliminary results) | |
Autore/i: | METZGER S.z.; BIANCHI, MAURIZIO; CAVANI, CLAUDIO; PETRACCI, MASSIMILIANO; GYOVAI M.; BIRÓ NÉMETH E.; RADNAI I.; SZENDR, #336; Z.s. | |
Autore/i Unibo: | ||
Anno: | 2008 | |
Titolo del libro: | Proceedings of 9th World Rabbit Congress | |
Pagina iniziale: | 1399 | |
Pagina finale: | 1403 | |
Abstract: | The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of nutritional supply during foetal, suckling and growing periods on carcass traits and meat quality of rabbits. New-born rabbits (n=224) were divided into three groups according to their birth weight (low/L/: 35-50 g, medium/M/: 58-62 g, high/H/: 70- 88 g). Half of the litters were nursed by one doe (O), while the other half by two does (T). After weaning at 3 weeks, from the age of 4 weeks half of the rabbits were fed ad libitum, while the other half was reared on a restricted feeding regime corresponding to 85-90% of the ad libitum feed intake level. Rabbits were slaughtered at 11 weeks of age. Body weight at slaughter of L rabbits was 124 g lower than M and 255 g lower than H rabbits (P<0.05). L group had the highest (58.0%) while M rabbits the lowest dressing out percentage (57.3%) (P<0.05). Ratio of hind part was significantly (P<0.05) higher in H group (39.0%) than in L group (38.1%). Ratio of perirenal fat was the highest in L rabbits (2.10%) and the lowest in H group (1.64%) (P<0.05). Value of WHC was 1.8% lower (P<0.05) in H rabbits compared to L and M animals. Slaughter weight of T rabbits was 198 g higher (P<0.001) than that of group O. Dressing out percentage was 0.7% (P=0.002) lower in T rabbits. In group T the cooking loss of m. Longissimus dorsi was 1.6% lower (P=0.003) than in group O. In consequence of feed restriction the slaughter weight and dressing out percentage decreased by 141 g (P<0.001) and 0.8% (P=0.001), respectively. Feeding regime influenced all the meat quality parameters except the b* value of meat colour. Rabbits in restricted group had 0.08 (P<0.001) lower pH, while 1.1 (P<0.001) higher L* and 0.7 (P=0.008) lower a* values of m. Longissimus dorsi. The cooking loss of m. Longissimus dorsi of restricted rabbits was 1.2% higher (P=0.03). Birth weight x number of nursing does x feeding interaction had significant (P<0.05) influence on the lipid content of m. Longissimus dorsi: the highest lipid content was found in MOA rabbits (2.30%) while the lowest in HOA (1.18%) and in LOR (1.21%) groups. Birth weight x number of nursing does interaction was significant on the proportion of m. Longissimus dorsi to reference carcass weight (P=0.03) and on meat to bone ratio (P=0.02). Highest ratio of m. Longissimus dorsi was found in LO and MO groups (11.9%), while LT rabbits showed the lowest value (11.4%). Meat to bone ratio was the highest in HT rabbits; it differed significantly (P<0.05) from other groups except MT. These results show that the nutrient supply during foetal and suckling ages has a long term effect which could be important in terms of carcass traits and meat quality as well. | |
Data prodotto definitivo in UGOV: | 16-giu-2008 | |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 4.01 Contributo in Atti di convegno |