M. Bozhilova-Sakova

Bio: M. Bozhilova-Sakova is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Breed. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 1 citations.

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

Abstract: 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 assessment of fattening qualities of rabbits of different breeds under the conditions of the private farm

Abstract: A comparative assessment of the fattening qualities of rabbits of different breeds on a farm with an intensive technology of rabbit meat production was carried. The material for the study was a herd of rabbits of meat and skin breeds: Gray Giant Flander, Californian, Silver Fox. The experiment was carried by the group method. For this purpose, 30 rabbits were selected at 45 days of age and 3 groups of 10 heads were formed. Analogue rabbits were selected by breed, age, live weight, sex. The experimental livestock was housed in a shed-type room equipped with 4 rows of mesh cages arranged in two tiers, in which bunker feeders and nipple drinking bowls were installed. The animals were fed with pellets compound feed with the addition of leguminous Herbal hay. Compound feed was distributed from bunker self-feeders, Herbal hay – from feeders (mangers). The rabbits were watered from nipple drinkers, which provided the animals with constant access to food and water. In the course of the research, the live weight of rabbits, absolute and average daily gain, relative growth rate and feed costs were studied. It has been found that the Californian rabbits fulfill their growth potential better than the Silver Fox and Gray Giant Flander rabbits. Average daily gains in rabbits of the Californian breed were 1.8 g higher compared to analogs of the Silver Fox breed and 1.18 g higher than in the Gray Giant Flander. In terms of live weight, at the end of the experiment, the Californian rabbits were dominated by analogs of the Silver Fox breed by 116.7 g and by 90 g of Gray Giant Flander rabbits. The level of profitability of raising young rabbits for meat of the Californian breed was 12.2 %, and the Gray Giant Flander and Silver Fox breeds, respectively – 3.8 and 4.0 %. Key words: fattening qualities, Gray Giant Flander, Silver Foxy breed, Californian breed, average daily gains, economic efficiency.

Development of prediction equations to estimate carcass tissue composition in growing New Zealand White rabbits by shoulder and neck dissection

Abstract: . The objective of this study was to determine the tissue composition of the carcass of growing New Zealand White rabbits based on the shoulder and neck traits (weight, meat and bone weights). Live weight and characteristics of dissected meat and bone tissues (neck, breast, rib, loin, shoulder, and leg) of 80 rabbits were recorded. Total carcass tissue weights (carcass fat weight, carcass meat weight – CMW, and carcass bone weight – CBW) were calculated and correlation and regression analyses were implemented. Shoulder, neck, shoulder meat, bone and neck meat were correlated (P < 0.0001 and < 0.001) with CMW and CBW. In conclusion, cut weights and tissue content of the shoulder and neck provided good predictions for total meat and bone weights of growing New Zealand White rabbits.