EFFECT OF HOUSING SYSTEMS ON GROWTH RATE, CARCASS TRAITS AND MEAT QUALITY OF RABBITS
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Date
2019
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College of Veterinary and animal Science,Mannuthy
Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of housing on growth rate,
carcass traits and meat quality of rabbits. Twenty four New Zealand White rabbits of
both sexes (1:1) were weaned and selected at five weeks of age. The animals were
randomly divided into two groups (T1 and T2) of 12 rabbits each with an average
uniform body weight. Rabbits in group T1 were housed in cages with stainless steel
floors and T2 with plastic slatted floors. The experiment was conducted during the
post monsoon season for a period of nine weeks. There was significant difference in
the body weight gain of the animals in T1 and T2 during 10th and 14th weeks of age.
The animals were slaughtered and carcass traits and meat qualities were observed for
pH, Water Holding Capacity (WHC), colour, Warner - Bratzler Shear Force
(WBSF), collagen solubility, proximate composition and sensory evaluation. Carcass
traits and bleeding efficiency were not significantly different between T1 and T2.
Carcass defects such a bruising was found comparatively higher for rabbits in T1
than T2. There was significant difference (p<0.01) between T1 and T2 in dressing
percentage (44.003 ± 0.579, 46.870 ± 0.742), WHC (18.717 ± 1.355, 29.218 ± 1.374,
WBSF (35.714 ± 1.694, 19.612 ± 1.629), collagen solubility (30.91 ± 1.928, 38.26 ±
1.557) and fat content (p<0.05) (5.088 ± 0.783, 2.823 ± 0.314). There was no
significant difference between T1 and T2 in pH (5.931 ± 0.013, 5.882 ± 0.022),
colour (52.582 ± 1.252, 52.500 ± 0.797), protein (21.999 ± 0.583, 22.678 ± 0.219)
and moisture (71.545 ± 0.517, 72.136 ± 0.217). The sensory evaluation of cooked
rabbit meat from T2 showed significantly higher score for appearance, tenderness,
juiciness, flavor and overall acceptability than T1. The results indicated that rabbits
reared on plastic slatted floors had better growth rate, carcass traits and meat
qualities and can be recommended to farmers for rearing rabbits.