Abstract
To evaluate the effect of genotype on carcass traits and meat quality, sixty-four rabbits belonging to two genotypes (slow growing local population, LP; commercial hybrids, HY) were used. Rabbits were weaned at 35 days of age and slaughtered when they reached 2500 g of live weight, corresponding to 103 and 87 days of age for LP and HY, respectively. Comparing the slaughter traits of two genotypes, LP provided higher dressing out (59.4 vs 56.2%, P<0.01) and skin percentage (16.0 vs 14.2%, P<0.05), lower incidence of full gastrointestinal tract (18.5 vs 22.3%, P<0.01) and higher incidence of head (9.5 vs 8,9%, P<0.05) and kidneys (0.99 vs 0.86%, P<0.05) than HY. Reference carcasses from LP had greater incidence of perirenal fat (2.04 vs 1.12%; P<0.01), loin (21.5 vs 19.2%; P<0.01) and hind leg (34.4 vs 31.6%; P<0.01) than HY. Hind leg meat-to-bone ratio was significantly higher in HY than LP (4.7 vs 3.8%; P<0.01). The comparison between the variances of slaughter weight, chilled carcass weight, kidneys percentage, reference carcass weight, perirenal fat and hind leg percentage showed the greatest variability in the LP. Meat derived from LP showed lower L*, higher a*, b* and C* colour values than HY (P<0.01). In conclusion, LP showed good slaughter traits and favourable meat quality. The great variability observed in the LP could allow to improve the productive performances, however maintaining animal rusticity.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
