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.
METZGER Sz., B.M., Zs. (2008). Effect of nutritional status of kits on carcass traits and meat quality (preliminary results). s.l : s.n.
Effect of nutritional status of kits on carcass traits and meat quality (preliminary results)
BIANCHI, MAURIZIO;CAVANI, CLAUDIO;PETRACCI, MASSIMILIANO;
2008
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.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
