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Gabriella Jekkel presents Poster 62 during the poster sessions in the Aula.
Session theme 6: Free topics
134
Poster 62
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE REARING METHODS ON THE
PRODUCTION TRAITS AND SLAUGHTER CHARACTERISTICS OF
GROWING RABBITS
G. Jekkel, G. Milisits
Kaposvár University, Faculty of Animal Science, Kaposvár, Guba Sándor, Hungary
The aim of this study was to analyse the production and slaughter traits of growing rabbits reared in
different size of cages (30x33 cm) or pens (50x170 cm and 100x170 cm), on different types of floor
(wire net or straw litter) and at different stocking densities (8, 12 or 16 rabbits/m 2 ). The experiment
took place between 5 and 11 weeks of age while rabbits were fed ad libitum with a commercial
pelleted diet.
It was established that the feed consumption of rabbits reared on wire net floor was 5.9-11.6%
higher than that of rabbits reared on straw litter. During the whole experimental period the daily
weight gain of rabbits on the wire net floor was significantly higher than that of rabbits on straw
litter (44.6 vs. 42.2 g/day). The feed conversion of the rabbits reared on straw litter seemed to be
better every week, but the between group differences were statistically not significant.
The ratio of hind part to the chilled carcass was significantly higher in rabbits reared on straw litter
than in those kept on wire net floor. The ratio of the scapular fat was 1.37 times, the ratio of the
perirenal fat 1.15 times higher in rabbits on wire net floor than in those on the straw litter. From the
edible organs the ratio of the heart and lungs, from the non edible parts of the body the ratio of the
skin and the gastrointestinal tract was significantly affected by the type of floor.
The stocking density and the size of cage or pens had no significant effect on the production and
slaughter traits of the rabbits.
Based on the results it was concluded that decreasing the stocking density and using pens instead of
cages does not affect the production and the slaughter value of growing rabbits.
Contact information: Gabriella Jekkel or email jekkel@citromail.hu
Complete address: Kaposvár University, Faculty of Animal Science H-7400 Kaposvár, Guba Sándor
u. 40. Hungary
Species: Rabbit