Abstract
This study aims to observe the effect of concentrated levels in carrot leaf based feeds to improve performance, carcass and β-carotene content in local rabbit meat at 8 weeks. This study used a feed experiment using 120 local 8-week-old male rabbits divided four group treatments and 6 replications. The four group treatments were rabbits fed on carrot leaf based rations with supplementation: 0% concentrate as a control (A), 10% (B); 20% (C); and 30% (D), respectively. Each treatment consisted of six replication cages with five rabbits per cage. The results showed that feed consumption, final body weight, weight gain, carcass weight, and percentage of carcasses in Groups B, C and D, were significantly (P<0.05) higher than Group A. The lowest cholesterol content was found in rabbits group A (P<0.05). In contrast, the highest beta-carotene levels of meat (P<0.05) were found in group A. It was concluded that supplementation of 10-20% concentrate in carrot leaf based rations could increase live weight gains, carcass weight, carcass percentage, and feed efficiency in local rabbits up to 8 weeks old. The highest content of β-carotene in rabbit meat was found in feeding 100% of carrot leaves.
Highlights
Improving the performance of rabbits is an alternative that can be used as a source of high-quality animal protein, and diversification of animal protein sources, but white rabbit meat, less favored by consumers
Supplementation of 20% concentrate and 30% concentrate significantly (P
Concentrate is a mixture of several types of quality feed, so that the high protein content is above 21% and crude fiber is lower than 18%, and the dry matter digestibility is above 75%
Summary
Improving the performance of rabbits is an alternative that can be used as a source of high-quality animal protein, and diversification of animal protein sources, but white rabbit meat, less favored by consumers. The advantage of rabbits as a producer of meat, namely the quality of meat, where high protein content with low fat content, and better than other livestock meat, such as beef and pork. The protein content of rabbit meat is 20.10%, while cattle and pigs are: 16.3% and 11.9%. The fat content of rabbit meat is 10.2%, while cattle and pigs are: 28% and 45% [1]. Giving high forage to rabbits can improve feed efficiency. The metabolic energy content is low and has not been able to meet the needs of rabbits for the production process [4]. It needs to be supplemented with concentrate feed so that rabbit productivity can be optimal
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
