Sexual Dimorphism in the Carcass Traits of Rabbits in Humid Tropics

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the carcass characteristics of male and female rabbits raised in a humid tropical environment. Forty eight (48) male and female rabbits were used for this experiment. The experiment was carried out at the rabbitry unit of the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo state. At 12 weeks of age, all the rabbits were weighed and slaughtered. Hot carcass, giblets, inedible carcass were measured. Data obtained from the measurements was analysed using SAS 2007. The hot carcass weight of male rabbits was higher than female rabbits. Sexual dimorphism was observed in the total giblets weights and the relative percentage of the giblet weight to pre-slaughter weights. Female rabbits had higher total giblets weights than male rabbits. The effect of sex was also significant on the weight of inedible carcass. However, the relative percentages of the inedible carcass weight to pre-slaughter weight were statistically similar between male and female rabbits. Nevertheless the edible carcass weight of male rabbits was significantly higher (1339.75 ±12.58g) than that of female rabbits (1221.46 ±10.29g). The dressing yield of the male rabbits (60.33%) was higher than the yield of female rabbits (58.48%). However, sexual dimorphism was not observed in the weight of thorax parts of the rabbits. Female rabbits had heavier loin (309.40±11.50g) than the male rabbits (271.21. ±12.85g). Sexual dimorphism also existed in the hind leg weight of rabbits. Male rabbits also had higher hind leg weight than the female. Male rabbits had better carcass traits in the humid tropics.