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Losacco C, Tinelli A, Dambrosio A, Quaglia NC, Passantino L, Schiavitto M, Passantino G, Laudadio V, Zizzo N, Tufarelli V. Effect of rearing system (free-range vs cage) on gut and muscle histomorphology and microbial loads of Italian White breed rabbits. Anim Biosci 2024; 37:151-160. [PMID: 37641840 PMCID: PMC10766457 DOI: 10.5713/ab.23.0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The growing consumers' interest on animal welfare has raised the request of products obtained by alternative rearing systems. The present study was conducted to assess the influence of housing system on gut and muscle morphology and on microbial load in rabbits reared under free-range (FR) and cage system (CS). METHODS A total of forty weaned (35 days of age) male Italian White breed rabbits were allotted according to the rearing system, and at 91 days of age were randomly selected and slaughtered for the morphological evaluation of tissue from duodenum and longissimus lumborum. Morphometric analysis of the villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and villus surface was performed. The microbial loads on hind muscle was determined by total mesophilic aerobic count (TMAC), Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae; whereas, total anaerobic bacteria count (TABC) and TMAC, E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae was determined on caecal content. RESULTS Rearing system did not interfere with the duodenum and muscle histomorphology in both rabbit groups. Similarly, microbial load of caecal content showed no significant differences on the TABC and TMAC. Conversely, significant difference was found for E. coli strains in caecal content, with the lower counts in FR compared to CS rabbits (p<0.01). Microbiological assay of muscle revealed significant lower TMAC in FR vs CS rabbits (p< 0.05). All rabbit meat samples were negative for E. Coli and Enterobacteriaceae. CONCLUSION Free-range could be considered a possible alternative and sustainable rearing system in rabbits to preserve gut environment and muscle quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Losacco
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Antonella Tinelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Study of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Angela Dambrosio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Study of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Nicoletta C. Quaglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Study of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Letizia Passantino
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Michele Schiavitto
- Italian Rabbit Breeders Association (ANCI-AIA), 71030 Volturara Appula, Foggia,
Italy
| | - Giuseppe Passantino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Study of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Vito Laudadio
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Nicola Zizzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Study of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tufarelli
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy
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Liu G, Bai L, Sun H, Liu C, Yang L, Jiang W, Zhang Y, Gao S. The effect of conjugated linoleic acids on the growth performance, carcase composition and meat quality of fattening rabbits. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2022.2094290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gongyan Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
| | - Liya Bai
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
| | - Haitao Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
| | - Ce Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
| | - Wenxue Jiang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
| | - Shuxia Gao
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multiomics of MARA, Jinan, China
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Krunt O, Zita L, Kraus A, Bureš D, Needham T, Volek Z. The effect of housing system on rabbit growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality characteristics of different muscles. Meat Sci 2022; 193:108953. [PMID: 36041290 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The present study analysed the effect of housing system (caged versus penned) on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of rabbits. The physiochemical quality of five muscles was evaluated, together with the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the meat from the hind leg. Sensory properties of the longissimus lumborum (LL) was also assessed. The LL yields were higher in caged rabbits. According to the results, meat from rabbits raised in cages had higher b* values for the LL (i.e., meat was yellower) than rabbits raised in pens. In addition, the quadriceps femoris from penned rabbits had higher a* and b* values (i.e., were redder and yellower) than caged rabbits. The MUFAs (18:1 n-9 and 20:1 n-9) and ash contents of the hind leg meat were higher in caged rabbits. In conclusion, while housing system influenced the physiochemical traits of rabbit meat, the sensory properties were not influenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Krunt
- Department of Animal Science, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Lukáš Zita
- Department of Animal Science, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Kraus
- Department of Animal Science, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Bureš
- Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Food Science, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tersia Needham
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Volek
- Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
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4
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How can housing system affect growth and carcass traits, meat quality and muscle fiber characteristics in biceps femoris and mineral content of tibia and femur bones in growing rabbits? Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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5
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Hedenqvist P, Trbakovic A, Mellgren T, Öhman-Mägi C, Hammarström Johansson P, Manell E, Ekman S, Ley C, Jensen-Waern M, Thor A. The effect of housing environment on bone healing in a critical radius defect in New Zealand White rabbits. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233530. [PMID: 32437406 PMCID: PMC7241799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In animal studies on bone healing, the effect of housing space and physical activity are seldom taken into account. Bone formation was evaluated in New Zealand White rabbits (mean ± SEM BW: 3.9 ± 0.11 kg) with a critical bone defect after 12 weeks of rehabilitation in pair-housing in 3 m2 large floor pens (Floor, n = 10) or standard single housing in 0.43 m2 cages (Cage, n = 10). In the randomised full-factorial study, a bone replica of calcium phosphate cement (CPC, n = 10) or autologous bone (AB, n = 10) was implanted in the unilateral 20 mm radius defect. Post-mortem, the oxidative capacity was measured by citrate synthase (CS) activity in M. quadriceps and the defect filling volume and density evaluated by microcomputer tomography (μ-CT). Histology sections were evaluated by subjective scoring and histomorphometry. Fourteen rabbits remained until the end of the study. Group Floor (n = 7; 3 CPC + 4 AB) had a higher CS activity and a larger bone defect filling volume and lower density by μ-CT measurements than group Cage (n = 7; 3 CPC + 4 AB). Three out of four rabbits in AB-Floor presented fusion of the defect with reorganisation of trabecular bone, whereas three of four in AB-Cage showed areas of incomplete healing. Floor rabbits had a higher score of bony fusion between the radius and ulna than Cage rabbits. There were no differences between groups in histomorphometry. The study found that a larger housing space increased physical activity and promoted bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Hedenqvist
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Amela Trbakovic
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Plastic & Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Mellgren
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Petra Hammarström Johansson
- Department of Prosthodontics / Dental Materials Science, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Odontology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Manell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Ekman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Ley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marianne Jensen-Waern
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andreas Thor
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Plastic & Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Differential scanning calorimetry as a fast method to discriminate cage or free-range rabbit meat. Food Control 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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7
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Matics Z, Cullere M, Zotte AD, Szendrő K, Szendrő Z, Odermatt M, Atkári T, Radnai I, Nagy I, Gerencsér Z. Effect of cage and pen housing on the live performance, carcase, and meat quality traits of growing rabbits. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2018.1532329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Matics
- Állatnemesítési Tanszék, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Marco Cullere
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Antonella Dalle Zotte
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Katalin Szendrő
- Állatnemesítési Tanszék, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Szendrő
- Állatnemesítési Tanszék, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary
| | | | | | - István Radnai
- Állatnemesítési Tanszék, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - István Nagy
- Állatnemesítési Tanszék, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Gerencsér
- Állatnemesítési Tanszék, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary
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Loponte R, Secci G, Mancini S, Bovera F, Panettieri V, Nizza A, Di Meo C, Piccolo G, Parisi G. Effect of the housing system (free-range vs. open air cages) on growth performance, carcass and meat quality and antioxidant capacity of rabbits. Meat Sci 2018; 145:137-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Martino M, Mattioli S, Farkas P, Szendrő Z, Dal Bosco A, Ruggeri S, Matics Z, Castellini C, Gerencsér Z. Carcass traits and meat quality of growing rabbits in pens with and without different multilevel platforms. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2016.3922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of the presence of wire or plastic mesh elevated platforms on carcass traits and meat quality characteristics, with particular attention to the oxidative status of growing rabbits. A total of 174 five-week old rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups with 2 replications (6 pens; 29 rabbits/pen): pens without platforms (NoP) with a stocking density of 16 rabbits/m2 and pens with wire-mesh platforms (WP) or plastic-mesh platforms (PP) that were placed on 2 levels, with a stocking density of 16 rabbits/m2 on the floor or 9.14 rabbits/m2 when the platform were included. At 84 d rabbits were slaughtered. The slaughter traits and Longissimus lumborum (LL) physical and chemical compositition were not affected by treatments. Rabbits from the PP group showed the highest retinol and γ-tocotrienol content on LL muscle, whereas the NoP ones showed a higher α-tocotrienol and α-tocopherol level. The absence of platforms led to decreased (P<0.001) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values and induced an improvement in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Levels of linoleic, linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids were equal to those of the WP group (23.45, 3.75, 0.64% in NoP and 22.6, 4.14, 0.53% in WP, respectively) but higher than in PP rabbits (20.86, 3.05, 0.45%, respectively). It can be concluded that the pens with elevated platforms provide greater possibilities for movement, which is beneficial from the viewpoint of animal welfare. However, this greater activity influences the oxidative status of the meat, decreasing the antioxidant content and worsening the lipid oxidation of rabbit meat.
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Cavani C, Petracci M, Trocino A, Xiccato G. Advances in research on poultry and rabbit meat quality. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2009.s2.741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cavani
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti, Università di Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Angela Trocino
- 2Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Università di Padova, Italy
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11
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Osteochondrosis, but not lameness, is more frequent among free-range pigs than confined herd-mates. Acta Vet Scand 2015; 57:63. [PMID: 26416598 PMCID: PMC4587880 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-015-0154-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organic pig production is expanding and amongst the objectives of organic farming are enhancing animal health and welfare. However, some studies have reported a higher prevalence of lameness and joint condemnation at slaughter in free-range/organic pigs than in conventionally raised pigs. Organic slaughter pigs have free-range housing in which indoor and outdoor access is compulsory, while in conventional farming the pigs are commonly confined to indoor pens. The present study evaluated the effects of free-range and confined housing on lameness prevalence in a herd of 106 finisher pigs, and whether osteochondrosis and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated arthritis influences these effects. We also evaluated the association between clinical lameness during the rearing period and joint condemnations at slaughter. RESULTS Seventy free-range and 36 confined housed fattener pigs were scored for their gait twice during the rearing period and 848 joints were evaluated post mortem. Osteochondrosis was more frequent among free-range than confined pigs (P < 0.05), and when present it was also more severe (P < 0.001). Pigs with more numerous and more severe osteochondral lesions had their gait affected more than did pigs with fewer such lesions (P < 0.05). Hence it was a paradox that we did not detect more lameness among the free-range pigs than the confined pigs. E. rhusiopathiae associated arthritis was not diagnosed. The association between gait remarks/clinical lameness and joint condemnations at slaughter was not significant. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that free-range housing may have both positive and negative effects on locomotory traits. Free-range pigs may be less clinically affected by osteochondrosis than are confined pigs. One explanation for this effect may be strengthening of joint supportive tissue and pain relief promoted by exercise. Visual gait scoring missed serious joint lesions that probably were harmful to the pigs, and should therefore not be used as a sole indicator of joint/leg health in welfare inspection of pigs. The association between gait scores and joint condemnation appeared to be poor. This study was limited to one herd, and so more and larger studies on the effects of free-range housing on lameness severity and osteochondrosis development in pigs are recommended.
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Dal Bosco A, Szendrö Z, Matics Z, Castellini C, Ruggeri S, Szendrö K, Martino M, Mattioli S, Dalle Zotte A, Gerencsér Z. Effect of floor type on carcass and meat quality of pen raised growing rabbits. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2015. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2015.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Lafuente R, López M. Effect of electrical and mechanical stunning on bleeding, instrumental properties and sensory meat quality in rabbits. Meat Sci 2014; 98:247-54. [PMID: 24973775 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Different voltage and frequency (T-1=49V, 250Hz; T-2=130V, 172Hz; T-3=22V, 833Hz) combinations of electrical stunning and cervical dislocation (T-4) were studied in 101 commercial rabbits in an industrial abattoir. Electrical stunning accelerated the early muscular acidification, providing lower pH-45 and pH-2h values on Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris and higher pH-24h on Biceps femoris than cervical dislocation (P<0.02). Furthermore, meat from rabbits stunned with electrical methods showed more redness (a* with mean values 1.17-1.30 vs. 0.66, P<0.02), although this cannot be associated to low exsanguination levels because electrical methods tend to produce even higher bleeding percentage than mechanical stunning (P=0.063). Haematin content in muscle, water-holding capacity and cooking losses were similar in all treatments. Shear force did not change because of the stunning methods, but the members of experienced panel found the meat coming from electrical stunning T-1 (with intermediate voltages and frequencies) tougher and less juicy than the meat obtained with other electrical applications or with cervical dislocation (P<0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lafuente
- Gobierno de Aragón, Departamento de Sanidad, Bienestar Social y Familia, Vía Universitas 36, 50071 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - M López
- Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
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Volek Z, Chodova D, Tumova E, Volkova L, Marounek E, Marounek M. The effect of housing conditions on Biceps femoris muscle fibre properties, fatty acid composition, performance and carcass traits of slow-growing rabbits. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2014. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2014.1176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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15
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Bicellular cage vs. collective pen housing for rabbits: Growth performance, carcass and meat quality. Livest Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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16
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Housing of growing rabbits in individual, bicellular and collective cages: growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality. Animal 2012; 7:627-32. [PMID: 23153555 DOI: 10.1017/s175173111200198x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
During growth (from 27 to 75 days of age), 384 rabbits were kept in different types of wire-net cages: 72 individual cages (72 rabbits; 10 animals/m2), 48 bicellular cages (96 rabbits; 2 rabbits/cage; 18 animals/m2) and 24 collective cages (216 rabbits; 9 rabbits/cage; 18 animals/m2). The rabbits housed in individual cages showed higher daily weight gain both during the fattening period (from 52 to 75 days of age) and during the whole period of growth (43.0 v. 41.8 and 41.5 g/day; P < 0.05), and they had a higher final live weight at 75 days of age (2678 v. 2619 and 2602 g; P < 0.05) compared with the rabbits in the bicellular and collective cages, respectively. Rabbits in individual cages ingested more feed (133 v. 127 and 126 g/day; P < 0.01), but the feed conversion did not differ significantly among rabbits housed in the three types of cages. At slaughter, the carcass traits and meat quality were weakly affected by the housing system. The transport losses were higher in rabbits kept in individual and bicellular cages compared with those reared in collective cages (3.1% and 2.9% v. 2.2%; P < 0.01). In rabbits kept in individual cages, the hind leg muscle to bone ratio was higher (6.35 v. 6.19 and 5.91; P < 0.05) compared with the bicellular and collective cages, respectively. The pH and colour of the longissimus lumborum did not change with the housing system, while the b* index of the biceps femoris was lower (3.04 and 3.32 v. 4.26; P < 0.001) in the rabbits kept in individual and bicellular cages, respectively, than in those kept in collective cages. In conclusion, the rabbits housed in individual cages showed higher daily growth than rabbits kept in bicellular or collective cages, but they had a similar feed conversion and carcass quality. Differently, neither in vivo performance nor slaughter results differed among the rabbits kept in bicellular cages or in collective cages. The meat colour may be affected by the housing system, but to an extent that is hardly perceivable by the final consumer.
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Abstract
Carcass traits and meat quality of rabbits reared in conventional cages (0.385 m2), small pens (0.662 m2) or large pens (4.052 m2) at a similar stock density of 15 rabbits/m2 were compared (n = 30 per group). Pens contained an elevated platform. Slaughter weight (SW; P < 0.01) and cold carcass weight (P < 0.05) decreased in the order of Cage < Small pen < Large pen groups. SW and cold carcass weight were 7% lower in rabbits housed in large pens than in cages. Dressing out and meat-to-bone ratio were not influenced by the housing system. Percentage of fat deposits was highest in caged rabbits (+0.15 point for scapular fat and +0.26 point for perirenal fat compared to rabbits reared in large pens P < 0.05). Rabbits housed in large pens had a bigger proportion of hind part (+1 point), and meat colour was shifted towards greater a* values (P < 0.01) compared to caged rabbits. Water holding capacity and shear test parameters in longissimus lumborum muscle, lipid content and shear test parameters of abductor cruralis cranialis, biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles were not affected by the housing system. Tibia and femur bone moment of inertia increased in the order of Cage < Small pen < Large pen groups (P < 0.05), whereas elastic modulus, which is a measure of intrinsic stiffness, was highest in caged rabbits. This study showed that large pen housing altered carcass traits independently and increased meat redness and fracture resistance of tibia and femur.
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Paci G, Preziuso G, D'Agata M, Russo C, Dalle Zotte A. Effect of stocking density and group size on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of outdoor-reared rabbits. Meat Sci 2012; 93:162-6. [PMID: 22950978 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Revised: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The effect of stocking density (16 rabbits/m(2), 5 rabbits/m(2), 2.5 rabbits/m(2), n = 60, Experiment 1) and group size (4 rabbits/cage, 8 rabbits/cage, 16 rabbits/cage, n = 88, Experiment 2) on productive performance, carcass and meat quality of a slow-growing rabbit population reared outdoors was investigated in two experiments. The highest stocking density induced the highest skin percentage. Lower stocking densities showed lower lightness of Biceps femoris and higher redness of Longissimus lumborum muscles. Four rabbits/cage group (Experiment 2) showed the highest daily weight gain and slaughter weight and the lowest skin percentage. The muscles of 16 rabbits/cage showed significantly higher pHu than 8 and 4 rabbits/cage. BF of 16 and 4 rabbits/cage showed higher L* value. Productive performance and meat quality of rabbits reared outdoors improved in low group size while stocking density needs more experiments. The best combination of density, group size and total available surface that showed the best production and carcass traits was of 5 rabbits/m(2), 4 rabbits/cage, and 0.8m(2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisella Paci
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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19
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Szendrő Z, Dalle Zotte A. Effect of housing conditions on production and behaviour of growing meat rabbits: A review. Livest Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2010.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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20
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Zomeño C, Blasco A, Hernández P. Influence of genetic line on lipid metabolism traits of rabbit muscle1. J Anim Sci 2010; 88:3419-27. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-2778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C Zomeño
- Institute for Animal Science and Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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21
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Effects of frozen storage temperature on the elasticity of tendons from a small murine model. Animal 2010; 4:1613-7. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731110000698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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22
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Effect of an outdoor rearing system on the welfare, growth performance, carcass and meat quality of a slow-growing rabbit population. Meat Sci 2009; 83:691-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Revised: 07/29/2009] [Accepted: 08/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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