Growth, carcass and meat quality traits of two South African meat rabbit breeds

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dc.contributor.authorNorth, M. K.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorZotte, A. Dalleen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHoffman, L. C.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2021-08-30T16:42:41Z
dc.date.available2021-08-30T16:42:41Z
dc.date.issued2019-10-01
dc.descriptionCITATION: North, M. K., Zotte, A. D. & Hoffman, L. C. 2019. Growth, carcass and meat quality traits of two South African meat rabbit breeds. South African Journal of Animal Science, 49(5):815-823, doi:10.4314/sajas.v49i5.4.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.scielo.org.za
dc.description.abstractRabbits could contribute to meat production in South Africa. However, little research has been done on rabbit farming in the country, including on the performance of locally available meat breeds. This study examined the meat production of the New Zealand White (NZW) and Phendula rabbit breeds. The live weights (LW) and average daily gains (ADG) of 80 (44 male, 36 female) NZW and 40 (22 male, 18 female) Phendula rabbits, housed in single-sex groups of three, were recorded from weaning (5 weeks) until slaughter (11 weeks). The slaughter weight, and carcass, organ, and carcass portion weights were recorded for 10 male rabbits and 10 females of each breed, and the physical and proximate chemical quality of the loin meat was determined. The breeds differed for the reference carcass (RC) yield (NZW: 85.3 ± 0.14%; Phendula: 84.9 ± 0.24%) and the proportions of the low-value fore (NZW: 38.6 ± 0.26%; Phendula: 37.6 ± 0.28%) and high-value intermediate (NZW: 19.6 ± 0.16%; Phendula: 20.4 ± 0.28%) parts. Females had greater LW and ADG at 11 weeks old, and reduced dressing percentages, but greater RC yields owing to lighter heads and red offal. Females also had smaller proportions of the fore part. Meat quality did not differ between the breeds or sexes. Overall, both breeds compared well to previous reports. However, they appeared to mature relatively early, as indicated by the significant sex differences, and the high carcass and meat fat content.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0375-15892019000500004
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent9 pages
dc.identifier.citationNorth, M. K., Zotte, A. D. & Hoffman, L. C. 2019. Growth, carcass and meat quality traits of two South African meat rabbit breeds. South African Journal of Animal Science, 49(5):815-823, doi:10.4314/sajas.v49i5.4
dc.identifier.issn2221-4062 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0375-1589 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.4314/sajas.v49i5.4
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/122970
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherSouth African Society for Animal Science
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectCarcass portionsen_ZA
dc.subjectAnimal carcasses -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectRabbits -- Breeding -- New Zealanden_ZA
dc.subjectRabbit meat -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectRabbit breeds -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.titleGrowth, carcass and meat quality traits of two South African meat rabbit breedsen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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