Effect of weaning age upon the slaughter and physicochemical traits of rabbit meat.

Abstract

The effect of the weaning age of rabbits on slaughter traits and physicochemical properties of meat was investigated. Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used, divided in two groups: group А (n = 8) weaned at the age of 21 days (early weaned) and group В (n = 8) weaned at the age of 35 days (normally weaned). The animals were fed with two categories of pelleted feed: for weaned rabbits up to 50 days of age and for growing rabbits older than 50 days of age. It was established that the early weaning of rabbits resulted in a statistically signifi cantly lower body mass, dressed carcass weight and dressing percentage as compared to normally weaned animals. Also, the pH of meat by the 24th hour after slaughtering and the dry matter of m. longissimus lumborum (LL) were signifi cantly lower in group A. Simultaneously, a statistically signifi cantly higher water-holding capacity, water content and lightness were established in the meat of early weaned compared to normally weaned rabbits. The protein and fat contents of LL and m. semimembranosus (SМ) in rabbits from group A correlated negatively and signifi cantly with water content, and positively with the dry matter. In group B, water content also correlated signifi cantly and negatively with protein content. Fat and ash in SM meat was in a positive statistically signifi cant relationship for both experimental groups. The results from the present study showed that the weaning age infl uenced both the slaughter traits and physicochemical properties of rabbit meat.