Abstract
Abstract. A total of 238 Pannon White growing rabbits were slaughtered at 74, 84 and 94 days of age, at an average body weight of 2.53, 2.84 and 3.15 kg, respectively. Within each age group five body weight categories were formed in such a way that the weight difference between two neighbouring groups was equally 0.3 kg. The design of the experiment permitted the separate examination of the effects exerted by age and body weight on carcass traits and on meat chemical composition of the left hind leg (HL) and that of m. Longissimus dorsi (MLD). Dressing out percentage significantly increased with the increase of age in all body weight categories, as well as with the increase of body weight. The effect of age on the ratio of the fore part of the carcass depended on the body weight: significant difference was found in lower body weight categories. The ratio of the intermediate part of the carcass was not affected by age but it increased in rabbits of higher body weight. The ratio of the hind part of the carcass increased in older animals, while it decreased in rabbits of higher body weight, and this decrease was higher in older rabbits. The ratio of the perirenal fat to reference carcass significantly decreased with age in all body weight categories, but it significantly increased in rabbits of higher body weight. With the advancement of age the moisture content of the HL increased, while that of the MLD did not change. With the increase of body weight, moisture content decreased in both the HL and in the MLD. The fat content of both HL and MLD decreased in older animals, while it increased in rabbits of higher body weight.
Highlights
The carcass traits and meat composition of rabbits of different age or body weight have been studied by several authors
The ratio of the fore part increased in heavier rabbits at 94 days of age, at 84 days of age significant difference was found in only one case, while at 74 days of age no any change was found (Table 2)
The ratio of the intermediate part of the carcass was not affected by age but it increased in rabbits of higher body weight, significant (P
Summary
The carcass traits and meat composition of rabbits of different age or body weight have been studied by several authors. Some of the results are summarised in the review of Dalle Zotte (2002). In those studies the heavier rabbits were usually older and vice versa, the older rabbits had higher body weight. It could not be determined whether the observed changes were caused by the age or the body weight. In some experiments the dressing out percentage of rabbits slaughtered at the same age but at different body weights was compared (Szendrö 1989, Grashorn et al 1996, Petracci et al 1999, Gondret et al 2005). Studies allowing separate examination of the effect exerted by age and body weight, i.e. in which rabbits of different age were slaughtered at the same body weight or rabbits of the same age at different body weights, have been scarce (Roiron et al 1992, Milisits et al 2000)
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