Rabbit Carcass Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN-MINERAL SUPPLEMENT ON GROWTH INTENSITY AND SLAUGHTER INDICATORS OF RABBITS

There was studied the influence of vitamin-mineral supplement of Tekrou firm, that contain a number of macro-elements, trace elements, vitamins, amino acids, in the amount of 0.35 g per 100 g of fodder on growth and development of the New Zealand rabbits breed of 45-, 60-, 75- and 90- days old. In order to evaluate the influence of vitamin and mineral supplements on the rabbits organism, we used zoo-technical methods of research (live weight, absolute, relative and average daily gain, slaughter quality of rabbits) and statistical methods. There was conducted a comparative analysis of the positive gain dynamics and live weight of experimental rabbits under the influence of vitamin and mineral supplements. There were established group differences in pre-slaughter weight and weight of carcasses in rabbits that consumed different doses of vitamin and mineral supplements. The 90 days old rabbits increased body mass index by 8.89%, under the influence of vitamin and mineral supplements, which exceeded the indicators of control group animals. In addition, we determined the mass metric indices of the carcasses and internal organs of 45-, 60-, 75- and 90- days old rabbits after slaughter. The obtained data on the organism growth, the mass metric indices of the carcasses and the internal organs of the experimental groups rabbits after slaughter can testify to the positive influence of vitamin-mineral supplements on the intensity of the organism development and some internal organs, which contributes to the increased flow of metabolic processes and building of a greater body mass in experimental animal groups. Feeding experimental groups rabbits of New Zealand breed with vitamin and mineral supplements for 45 days contributed to a better transformation of food nutrients into products. It was recorded that the vitamin-mineral supplement use in the ration of New Zealand rabbits increases the intensity of body growth during 45 days and provides the opportunity for a better transformation of fodder nutrients into products, in order to increase the body weight of animals. Key words: rabbits, vitamin-mineral supplement, body weight, mass of internal organs, gain, absolute gain, average daily gain, rabbit carcass, internal organs, slaughter output.

Lantibiotic Nisin Applied in Broiler Rabbits and Its Effect on the Growth Performance and Carcass Quality

Nisin is a bacteriocin marketed as Nisaplin. The aim of this study was to follow the effect of commercial lantibiotic nisin on the growth performance and carcass quality of broiler rabbits. The increase of average daily gain (by 9.4%) was recorded in the nisin group. The treatment did not have a negative influence on the pH, colour, water-holding capacity, protein and fat contents or energetic value of the rabbit carcass. Inferring from the higher average daily gain and the higher protein and lower fat content, we conclude that the diet supplementation with nisin may enhance the quality of rabbit meat.

Carcass and meat quality of rabbits fed Tithonia tubaeformis weed

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to use different parts of the Tithonia tubaeformis plant in feed for fattening rabbits and then observe the effects on carcass and meat quality. Forty-eight weaned rabbits (35 days of age) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 12 by treatment). Animals were fed ad libitum a control diet as well as three experimental diets, with addition of Tithonia tubaeformis leaves, whole plant, and stems. Rabbits were slaughtered after 63 days of [...]

Nutrient and moisture transfer to insect consumers and soil during vertebrate decomposition

Decomposition of organic matter leads to the redistribution of nutrients to organisms and the environment. Yet knowledge of this process has focused largely on plant-derived organic matter, with little known about relative quantities of nutrients and moisture transferred from decomposing animal remains to insect consumers and soil. We used a replicated and spatially blocked experiment to quantify the moisture, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous content of rabbit carcasses, maggot consumers, and soil over 20 days of decomposition.We found that maggot biomass reached 22% of the fresh rabbit carcass, or 39% of the consumable soft tissues. Maggots were comprised of 68% moisture, and their dry mass was comprised of 25% carbon, 4.9% nitrogen, and 0.8% phosphorous. Soils accumulated approximately 12.9% of the total carcass moisture, but only 0.7% of the carcass dry mass. The largest quantity of carcass mass loss was attributable to evaporation of moisture to the atmosphere (45%). Approximately 9% of the initial carcass mass was left as unconsumed remains. Our study provides estimates of the quantities of nutrients moving from vertebrate carcasses to insect consumers and soil. This knowledge is critical to scaling up the effects of carcasses and to developing our understanding of their role in biogeochemical cycling in ecosystems.

EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUN DRIED MORINGA OLIEFERA LEAVES As A SOURCE OF PROTEIN IN EARLY WEANING RABBITS RATION ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTION COEFFICIENTS AND SOME BLOOD CONSTITUENTS

A total number of one hundred early weaning New Zealand white rabbits (EWNZWR) were used at 25 days of age with an average of 580.5 g. Rabbits were divided into 4 groups (25 rabbits each). Four substitution levels of sun dried Moringa oeliefera leaves (SDMOL) were used (zero%, 25%, 50% and 75%) instead of sunflower meal. Chemical analysis of Sun dried Moringa oliefera Leaves was higher in CP, NFE, EE, and ash than sunflower meal. Most nutrients digestibility were improved (P<0.05) with replacing sunflower meal by Sun dried Moringa oliefera leaves at level 25, 50 or 75%. Also, using Sun-dried Moringa oliefera leaves in early weaning New Zealand white rabbits significantly (P<0.05) increased final body weight and daily body weight gain values. The tested diets have decreased significantly (P<0.05) meat content of DM (25.96, 25.80 and 24.86 vs 26.20), CP (20.74,20.89 and 21.02 vs 20.59) and EE (9.65,9.00,and8.73 vs10.15). Adding SDMOL to rabbit diets (P<0.05) decreased serum cholesterol and total lipids concentrate. Substitution of SDMOL improved the economic efficiency. It could be concluded that replacement up to 75% of sunflower meal in the early weaning New Zealand white rabbit’s diet by Sun dried Moringa oliefera leaves could be recommended to improve rabbit growth performance parameters, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics, meat content of DM, CP ,EE and decreased serum cholesterol, total lipids concentrates.

Effect of Flaxseed Supplementation of Feed on Growth, Carcass Yield, Meat and Fatty Acids Profile of Rabbit Carcass

Effect of Flaxseed Supplementation of Feed on Growth, Carcass Yield, Meat and Fatty Acids Profile of Rabbit Carcass

The effects of quercetin supplementation on New Zealand White grower rabbit carcass and meat quality – A short communication

Control and quercetin dihydrate-supplemented (2 g/kg) feeds were fed to 32 New Zealand White rabbits (both sexes) from 5 to 12 weeks old. Slaughter weight, carcass and organ weights, meat yields and physical and proximate meat quality were determined. Quercetin increased the hindleg meat:bone ratio (P < .001) by reducing hindleg bone weight (P = .01), contrary to the current understanding of the effect of quercetin on the skeletal system. However, this and the increase in skin weight (P = .03) may have been due to the effects of quercetin on connective tissue. Sex affected spleen weight (P = .04; female > male), head weight (P < .001; male > female), reference carcass yield (P = .02, female > male) and loin pHu (P = .02; male > female), without commercial implications. Other physical and chemical meat quality traits were not affected by diet or sex.

Entomofauna Associated with Certain Animal Carcasses as A human Model in Cairo, Egypt

The current study was carried out to investigate the forensic insects associated with two animal carcasses namely; dog (Canis lupus familiaris)and rabbit (Lepus cuniculus) during the summer season. A total of 687 adult insect specimens representing 9 families were collected from dog carcass placed outdoor, while 342 adult insect specimens representing 8 families were collected from dog carcass placed indoor. Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera comprised 57 %, 36 % and 7 % of insects collected from dog carcasses placed outdoor and 59 %, 37 % and 4 % of insects placed indoor. A total of 274 adult insect specimens representing 8 families were collected from rabbit carcass placed outdoor, while 68 adult insect specimens representing 5 families were collected from rabbit carcass placed indoor. Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera comprised 70 %, 19 %, 11 % and 46 %, 38 %, 16 % of the insect collected from rabbit placed outdoor and indoor, respectively. The insect succession on dog and rabbit carcasses throughout the decompositional stages showed that the Calliphorid fly, Chrysomya albiceps was the first fly attracted to the early stages of decomposition. In general, it has appeared that the diversity and numbers of forensic insects which colonize dog or rabbit carcasses were increased outdoor and decreased indoor. Moreover, forensic insects were higher in numbers on dog carcasses than on rabbit carcasses.

EFFICIENCY OF UTILIZAING BASIL AND FENNEL HAY WITHOUT OR WITH SYNBIOTIC IN DIETS ON PERFORMANCE AND SOME METABOLIC RESPONSES OF GROWING RABBITS

The first aim of rabbits' diets formulation is to create a low-cost ration that meets the nutritional requirements of fattening rabbits. Seventy two weanling rabbits (42-day old) of NZW breed were utilized in 4x2 factorial arrangements. Treatments were carried out to evaluate the potential of including basil and fennel hay in rations of weanling NZW rabbits at four levels (0.0, 25%, 50% and 75%) as a substitute for alfalfa hay with (0.5 g/kg) or without a synbiotic. Seventy two broiler rabbits were divided to eight treatments, three replications each. Eight rations were formulated and fed to broiler rabbits from 42 to 91 days old. Experimental weaning rabbits were placed under the same managerial conditions and comparable veterinary. The response of broiler rabbits was investigated as growth rate, carcass traits and blood parameters. Replacing dietary alfalfa hay with BH and FH up to 75% produced beast effects on growth rate of broiler NZW rabbits than the basal diet one, regardless of dietary synbiotic-fortification. Analogously, broiler rabbits had fed the synbiotic-enriched diets had positive effects growth performance to that of the basal diet one. Feeding the BHF Also, the addition of synbiotic (0.5gm/kg diet) led to improved rabbit growth, carcass yield and total edible parts% but decreased AF percentage.

Dehydrated cashew apple meal in the feeding of growing rabbits

Two trials were conducted aiming to determine the chemical composition, the digestibility of nutrients and energy from dehydrated cashew apple meal, as well as to evaluate the effects generated by including increasing levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) of this ingredient in growing rabbit feed, on performance, carcass characteristics and economic evaluation. In the digestibility trial, were used 24 rabbits with 55 days of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments and twelve repetitions, being one reference feed and the other test feed, composed by 70% of the reference feed and 30% DCAM. The coefficients of the dry matter digestibility, crude protein and gross energy of the DCAM were, respectively, 67.79; 30.03 and 48.61%. The digestible dry matter, digestible protein and digestible energy, based on dry matter, were, respectively, 59.55%; 4.76% and 2,119.66 kcal/kg. In the second trial, 120 mixed breed rabbits were used, with an average of 45 days of age and weight 1143 ± 153g. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments and ten repetitions with two rabbits of the same sex per cage. It was observed that the inclusion of DCAM did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) the feed intake, but reduced (P &lt; 0.05) the feed conversion efficiency, as well as a linear reduction in carcass yield. A quadratic effect on daily weight gain and the ratio meat/bone was observed, with better inclusion level estimated at 25.31 and 24.65%, respectively. The inclusion of DCAM linearly improved economic viability to the level of 50%, however not to harm the weight gain and the ratio meat/bone, it is recommended to include up to 25%.

Efficacy of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Moringa oleifera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Leaf Supplementation for Enhanced Growth Performance, Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Rabbits

The present work aimed to define the antioxidant effect of addition graded levels (0 mg (T0), 500 mg (T1), 1000 mg (T2) /Kg diet) of dried M. oleifera leaves (DMOL) during the experimental period for 56 days duration on the productive, hematology and some serum biochemical parameters of fifty-one growing rabbits. The results indicated that the DMOL contents of chlorophyll a, b, vitamin c, vitamin E, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, condensed tannins and phytic acid were (1.09 mg/g DW), (0.34 mg/g DW), (0.95 mg/g), (0.75 mg/g), (5.06 mg/g), (2.32%), (1.72%) and (0.98%), respectively. The result of the final live weight, average daily weight gain (ADWG) and average daily dry matter intake increased significantly with increasing levels of DMOL in diets. Also, the improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly high among the two levels of (DMOL). The serum glucose and urea nitrogen levels significantly decreased as DMOL levels increased. Moreover, there were a significant increase (P P P p > 0.05) different among treatments. On the contrary, significantly (P P P > 0.05) to the values of group T1. There was a significant (P < 0.05) effect of DMOL supplementation on the percent of carcass, liver and total edible parts of rabbits across treatments, whereas, treatments T2 and T1 recorded better results than T0. Under the condition of the present study, the results suggest that DMOL supplementation up to 1000 g/Kg diet might improve performance, bacterial community, antioxidant, biochemical parameters and blood constituents of rabbits.

PREVALENCE OF MYCOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION OF FRESH AND CHILLED RABBIT’S MEAT AND LIVER WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MYCOTOXIGENIC STRAINS

at present, there is an increasing interest in public health due to the consumption of healthy and nutritious food that contains high protein, low cholesterol and fat. A total of 75 samples (50 carcasses of fresh rabbits with their livers and 25 carcasses of chilled rabbits) were purchased from various poultry shops and supermarkets in Giza governorate. Samples were tested for fungal contamination, detection of mycotoxin-producing strains, aflatoxin residues and comparing the obtained results by using both thin layer chromatography (TLC) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seven genera of moulds and three genera of yeasts were isolated from the examined samples. The most isolated mould species were Aspergillus followed by Penicillium, Scopulariopsis, Mucor, Rhizopus, Cladosporium and Geotrichum. On the other hand, the most isolated yeast species were Candida followed by Rhodotorula and Saccharomycess. One isolate of the tested Aspergillus flavus obtained from both fresh rabbit carcass and its liver was an aflatoxin-producing strain. As well as extracted chilled rabbit meats did not contain any aflatoxin residues. The economic importance of the current findings and the importance of public health, as well as the application of proposed precautions to mitigate risks and reduce microbial contamination and ensure food safety for human health were discussed.

Evaluation of rabbit meat microbiota from the viewpoint of marketing method

Microbiological analysis was performed on carcasses of rabbits coming from domestic slaughter, purchased at butcher shops, vacuum-packaged and purchased in supermarkets, as well as frozen. The total number of analysed rabbits was 20. For all samples the following microbiological parameters were determined: total microorganisms count (TAC), the count of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), psychrotropic microorganisms, moulds and yeasts, as well as bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Total microorganisms count was the highest (p &lt;0.05) in rabbit meat from butcher shops (5.34 log CFU.g-1). The counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in rabbit meat originating from domestic breeding was 2.58 log CFU.g-1, in vacuum-packaged rabbits 3.18 log CFU.g-1, in frozen rabbits 2.29 log CFU.g-1, and in rabbit meat purchased from butcher shops 3.58 log CFU.g-1. The highest count (p &lt;0.05) of Enterobacteriaceae was observed in samples from butcher shops, namely 2.91 log CFU.g-1. In contrast the lowest count (p &lt;0.05) was in rabbit meat from home slaughtering at 1.47 log CFU.g-1 and in frozen ones at 1.36 log CFU.g-1. The lowest counts (p &lt;0.05) of moulds and yeasts were observed in rabbit meat from domestic slaughter, namely 1.12 log CFU.g-1. The highest counts (p &lt;0.05) were in rabbit meat from butcher shops 2.97 log CFU.g-1. The highest counts (p &lt;0.05) of psychrotrophic microorganisms were detected in rabbit meat from butcher shops, namely 4.98 log CFU g-1 and the lowest ones (p &lt;0.05) in the meat of domestically slaughtered rabbits at 2.52 log CFU.g-1. In all monitored microbiological indicators, we have found differences (p &lt;0.05) in their counts on the surface and inside the muscle tissue, both on the front and rear parts of the rabbit carcass

Influence of Dietary Inclusion of Butyric Acids, Calcium Formate, Organic Acids and Its Salts on Rabbits Productive Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality

Influence of Dietary Inclusion of Butyric Acids, Calcium Formate, Organic Acids and Its Salts on Rabbits Productive Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality

A 3-week feed restriction after weaning as an alternative to a medicated diet: effects on growth, health, carcass and meat traits of rabbits of two genotypes

Feed restriction after weaning is widely used in meat rabbit farms to promote health and reduce mortality, but this practice impacts negatively on rabbit growth and slaughter performance. This study compared a 3-week post-weaning feed restriction with ad libitum medicated feeding, evaluating effects on feed intake, growth, health, carcass and meat quality of rabbits of two genotypes: Italian White pure breed and Hycole hybrid×Italian White crossbred. A total of 512 rabbits at 36 days of age, of both sexes and two genotypes, were divided into four homogeneous groups assigned, from 36 to 57 days of age, to different feeding programmes (FP): restricted non-medicated (R-N), ad libitum non-medicated (L-N), restricted medicated (R-M) and ad libitum medicated (L-M). The diets were medicated with oxytetracycline (1540 mg/kg) and colistin sulphate (240 mg/kg). The restriction, performed by giving 70, 80 and 90 g/day of feed for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week, was followed by ad libitum feeding in the successive 5 weeks, up to slaughter at 92 days of age. Restricted feeds were ingested at a level of 64% of the feed intake recorded in the ad libitum fed rabbits; it was significantly associated, regardless of medication and rabbit genotype, with a lower feed intake (−22 to −24 g dry matter/day) during the entire experiment, compensatory growth and a lower feed conversion ratio in the ad libitum period, and a lower final live weight (−150 g) than ad libitum feeding (P<0.001). During restriction, mortality was lower in the restricted rabbits (6.25%, 5.47% v. 12.5%, 14.8% for R-N, R-M, L-N and L-M; P<0.05), whereas in the ad libitum period mortality did not differ among the groups (9.23%, 9.90%, 11.0% and 4.59% for R-N, R-M, L-N and L-M). Dressing out percentage was not affected by FP or genotype; heavier carcasses were produced by rabbits fed ad libitum (+100 g; P<0.001) and crossbred rabbits (+122 g; P<0.001). Restriction did not alter meat quality, except for a tendency towards a higher cooking loss and less fat; crossbred meat was higher in L* (+1.3; P<0.01) and b* (+0.51; P<0.05) colour indexes and tenderness (−0.14 kg/cm2; P<0.05) than pure breed meat. Under the conditions of this study, a 3-week restricted feeding after weaning resulted to be a suitable alternative, also for high growth potential genotypes, to the antibiotics to preserve rabbit health. The production of lighter carcasses could be compensated partly by the lower feed conversion ratio showed by restricted rabbits.

Effect of Silybum marianum fruit constituents on the health status of rabbits in repeated 42‐day fattening experiment

Rabbits are an important source of high-quality dietary proteins. Intensive farming is connected with the protection of rabbits against diseases, mainly digestive disorders. Previously used antibiotics have been replaced with other types of compounds with prophylactic or curative effects, substances or mixtures of natural origin are preferred. Mechanically processed Silybum marianum fruits − 0.2% or 1% (w/w), were added to the standard diet of HYLA broiler rabbits in a 42-day fattening experiment repeated in quadruplet. At the end of the experiment, the main compounds of interest − selected flavonolignans and taxifolin, were subject of HPLC/MS analyses in feed, plasma, urine and faeces. Data showed a mild effect on the growth performance of rabbits (carcass weight and carcass yield in the group fed 1% mechanically processed S. marianum fruits), but no effect on the majority of selected blood biochemical parameters and markers of oxidative stress after the application of the feed containing S. marianum constituents. However, when in one repetition a higher incidence of health problems connected with digestive disorders occurred, the diet containing the highest content of S. marianum constituents was able to attenuate the morbidity and mortality of rabbits. The addition of phytopreparations based on S. marianum constituents to the animal diet is promising for conventional methods of rabbits farming.

A Preliminary Study of Insect Succession in Al-Ahsaa Oasis, in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Rabbit carcass decomposition was examined in four seasons in Al-Ahsaa Oasis. Decomposition rate was significantly faster in summer compared with other seasons. Fourteen insect species from four orders and seven families were recorded: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Formicidae, Histeridae, Dermestidae, and Tenebrionidae. Most of the fly maggots collected were Calliphoridae with only one species from both Muscidae and Sarcophagidae. Maggots of Calliphora vicina (R.-D.) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) colonized the carcasses in all seasons while both Ch. bezziana (Villeneuve) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) were found in all seasons except for winter. Maggots of Chrysomya megacephala (F.) and Phormia regina (Meigen) were only collected in the summer and autumn, respectively. Four coleopteran species were collected: Hymenorus sp., Saprinus chacites (Illiger), Dermestes maculatus DeGeer and Blaps sp. One formicidian species, Pheidole megacephala (F.), was observed in all seasons. Insect richness was greater, and decomposition rate was faster in summer compared with other seasons.

ВЕТЕРИНАРНО–САНІТАРНА ЕКСПЕРТИЗА І ВЕТЕРИНАРНО–САНІТАРНА ОЦІНКА М’ЯСА КРОЛІВ РІЗНОВІКОВИХ ГРУП, ВИРОЩЕНИХ У ПРИВАТНОМУ СЕКТОРІ СМТ. ЄМІЛЬЧИНЕ, ЄМІЛЬЧИНСЬКОГО РАЙОНУ, ЖИТОМИРСЬКОЇ ОБЛАСТІ

Among the global problems of today to the victims of the Chernobyl accident areas Zhytomyr region priority is safety and quality of animal products in Postchernobyl period. Safety and quality of food and raw materials is one of the key factors that ensure public health and preserve its gene pool. At the request of the Law of Ukraine. On the safety and quality of food and other regulatory legal acts, subject to the provisions of international law Codexalimentarius State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service of Ukraine took the implementation in practice of veterinary medicine guidelines of good manufacturing and hygienic practices (GMP / GHP) «meat production», according to which «the conditions of growing animals for meat production should contribute to the production of safe and quality meat».Conducted research found that addressing diet, nutrition of the population, especially children and the elderly, as environmentally hazardous environments rabbit should take the lead. For radionuclide content in rabbit meat is very low. The specific activity of meat rabbits 4–month old was at &lt;1.9 ± 0.47 Bq/kg for the content of 137 Cs and 3.7 ± 0.88 Bq/kg for the content of 90 Sr. In adult rabbit meat, these figures were respectively 4.8 ± 0.46 Bq/kg and 6.2 ± 1.2 (at a rate of 200 and 20 Bq/kg). In comparative perspective Meat 4–monthly Californian rabbits precocious meat breed has a high performance organoleptically–tasting than in adults. The taste, juiciness, color and flavor overall GPA was, neck and chest muscles – 4.3 points, lumbar–pelvic – 4.7 points, while the rate in adult animals was respectively 3.6 and 3.8 points. . Index zbytosti California precocious males breed in 4–months of age was 74.9%, and in two years – 86.2%. Slaughter output respectively – 49.2% and 44.2%, out of pure meat – 82.0% and 81.8%. In the carcass of rabbits that were grown in the farm, prosperous in infectious and parasitic diseases, pathological changes available.

REPLACEMENT OF ALFALFA HAY BY MORINGA PETIOLES MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT ADDING CAPLIX IN GROWING RABBIT DIETS.

A total number of 72 New Zealand White (NZW) growing rabbits of mixed sex, 6 weeks old with 500±13.75 g average body weight was used to study the effect of using different levels of Moringa petioles meal without or with supplementation of multi enzymes caplix on rabbit performance, nutrients digestibility, caecum activity, carcass characteristics and economic efficiency. Rabbits were divided into 6 treatments 12 rabbits each. Three substitution levels of Moringa petioles meal were used (zero, 25 and 50%) instead of Alfalfa dehydrate meal of control diet, with or without caplix addition at levels of 0.00 or 0.05% of diet in 3x2 factorial design. Results indicated that, chemical analysis contents of Moringa petioles meal was higher in DM, OM, CP, EE, Ash, Cell., P and DE than Alfalfa dehydrate meal. While Alfalfa dehydrate meal was higher in CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, ADL, Hemi., Lig. and Ca. most nutrients digestibility were improved (P<0.05) with replacing Alfalfa dehydrate meal by Moringa petioles meal at level 25 or 50%. Also, adding caplix to rabbit diets improved the nutrients digestibility and nutritive values compared to the unsuplemented diets. Caecum weight and TVFS caecal juice concentrations increased (p<0.05) with replacing Moringa petioles meal compared to the control group. Adding caplix to rabbit diets increased (P<0.05) caecum weight, caecum length, caecum pH and TVFA’S concentrations compared to the unsuplemented diets. Using Moringa petioles meal in rabbit significantly (P<0.05) increased the average values of FBW, DBWG and DFI and also with adding caplix in rabbit diets compared to those groups fed diets without caplix. Carcass weight and total edible parts % increased (P<0.05) with either adding caplix or Moringa petioles meal at levels 25 and 50% compared to the control group. The tested diets not affect significantly meat content of DM, CP and EE. Replacement Alfalfa hay by Moringa petioles meal level or adding caplix did Replacing Moringa petioles meal for at level of 25 or 50% either with or without adding caplix to rabbit diets improved the economic efficiency. Conclusively, replacement of 50% of alfalfa hay in the rabbits diet by moringa petioles meal with 0.05% caplex supplementation could be recommanded to improve rabbit growth performance parameters and feed efficiency of feed utilizationunder the Egyptian conditions.

Effect of pre- and post-weaning dietary supplementation with Digestarom® herbal formulation on rabbit carcass traits and meat quality

This study evaluated effects of Digestarom® (D) dietary inclusion before weaning (0–5weeks old; BW) and/or after weaning (5–12weeks old; AW) on growing rabbit carcass traits and meat quality. During BW, Pannon-Ka rabbits (does, kits) received two diets: a control diet (C) and one supplemented with 300mg Digestarom®/kg (D). At weaning, each group was divided into 3 dietary sub-groups: CC and DD received C and D diets from 5 to 12weeks of age, whereas DC was fed D from 5 to 8weeks and C from 8 to 12weeks of age (54 rabbits/group; AW). Rabbits were slaughtered at 12weeks of age. Digestarom® supplementation improved carcass yield and body mid part proportion only when administered BW. Rabbits fed D BW had higher hind leg meat cooking losses. Loin meat spiciness and rancidity increased with D both BW and AW. In conclusion, Digestarom® herbal formulation was ineffective in improving growing rabbit carcass traits or meat quality.