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.

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

Rabbit breeding on small scale family farms is carried on as an alternative production activity, in Albania. Extensive production system and breeding of local rabbit breed are most frequent. Albanian local rabbit can be classified in middle size breed group. It is a population with high morphological and biological variability, with variation in coat colour. Rabbit farming is a useful production activity on small scale family farms. Breeding 2-3 couples of reproducing rabbits could increase the gross annually income of family farm up to 22-28 percent.

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Farming of rabbit local breed as an alternative activity on small scale farms in Albania.

DIMITROVA, I., M. BOZHILOVA-SAKOVA and K. VELIKOV. 2015. Comparative study of some production traits in Vesselina, New Zealand White and Californian rabbits breeds. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 21: 1285–1288 The purpose of this study is to trace the rabbit weight development from 30 to 150 days of age of newly bred Vesselina and most widely used in the country meat breeds - White New Zealand and Californian, under extensive farming conditions. The experiment was conducted in a rabbit farm at University of Forestry, in wooden cages. The results showed that with the highest live weight and weight gain are characterized animals from Vesselina and with the lowest - animals by the Californian breed.

Comparative study of some production traits in vesselina, new zealand white and californian rabbits breeds

The effect of the weaning age of rabbits on slaughter traits and physicochemical properties of meat was The effect of the weaning age of rabbits on slaughter traits and physicochemical properties of meat was investigated. Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits ( investigated. Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used, divided in two groups: ) 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 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 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 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 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 24 as compared to normally weaned animals. Also, the pH of meat by the 24 th th hour after slaughtering and the dry hour after slaughtering and the dry matter of m. longissimus lumborum (LL) were signifi cantly lower in group A. Simultaneously, a statistically 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 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 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 (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 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 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 from the present study showed that the weaning age infl uenced both the slaughter traits and physicochemical properties of rabbit meat. properties of rabbit meat.

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

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the genotypes of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) – c.78C>T located in the growth hormone gene (GH) and c.106C>G in the growth hormone receptor gene (GHR) on individual body weight (IBW) during the growing period at 35, 70 and 90 d of age on a total of 107 weaned Californian breed rabbits. The restriction fragments obtained revealed that 74.8% of the rabbits carrying c.78C>T SNP and 52.3% of the rabbits carrying c.106C>G SNP were heterozygous, which indicated a moderate level of genetic diversity in this Californian population. Association analysis based on a single-gene approach revealed that c.78C>T polymorphism in the GH gene had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the weight at 70 and 90 d of age. The highest IBW (2530.4±66.6 g) was observed in rabbits carrying the c.78C>T TT genotype, and detected individuals were significantly affected by the dominance effect. Significant differences were observed between individuals with homozygous c.106C>G CC genotype and those with heterozygous CG genotype. The highest IBW (2462.0±198.3 g) was observed in rabbits carrying the c.106C>G CC genotype and detected individuals were significantly affected by the additive effect. A total of nine combined genotypes of c.78C>T and c.106C>G SNPs was found in the study, of which only four major groups (CT/CC, CC/CG, CT/CG, and CT/GG) were concerned in the diplotype analysis. Significant differences were observed between individuals with CT/CC and CC/CG genotype combinations, and between those with the CC/CG and CT/GG diplotypes. However, the highest IBW at 90 d of age (2447.2±213.8 g) was observed in rabbits carrying the CT/CC genotype combinations. The highest coefficient of determination found for individual body weight at 90 d of age (R2=10.8%) indicated a high effect of genotype combinations. In conclusion, the results obtained suggested that c.78C>T of GH gene and c.106C>G of GHR gene could be useful candidate genes to improve growth performance in Californian rabbits with potential application in rabbit breeding programmes.

Association analysis of nucleotide polymorphisms in growth hormone (GH) and its receptor (GHR) with body weight in Californian rabbits

The aim of the study was to present the situation of rabbit production in Bulgaria. As a whole the rabbit production in Bulgaria is in extensive stage. To change it as intensive or semi intensive it need to improve selection and feeding systems, to concentrate the farm, and to build new more modern farms with control systems of microclimatic parameters and which covered veterinarian requirements.

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H. Tzvetkova

Papers

Rabbit production in bulgaria