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Life is based on sunlight. Light is important for the crepuscular or nocturnal animal species such as wild or domesticated rabbits. They are able to see well at night; however their colour vision is limited. Rabbits are exposed to a periodic light and dark environment which generates a 24 h (circadian) rhythm of almost every function of the body. When rabbits lived in continuous light or dark the daily rhythms were a little longer or shorter than 24 h, respectively. The daily activity of European wild rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) depends on the season (the time of sunrise and sunset), and that of farmed rabbits on the times that the lights are switched off and on. Strong seasonal effects can be found in reproduction and moulting. In farms, the seasonal effects are limited when 16 h lighting is applied year around. Change of 8 h light to 16 h light eight days before insemination is effective to increase the receptivity and kindling rate. Maturation of Rex rabbit fur can be accelerated and its quality can be improved changing the photoperiod from a long to a short daily lighting period. The wool production of Angora rabbits can be increased by shortening the light period or by melatonin treatment. Light schedules are applied for different purposes on rabbit farms. Further research on the effects of light intensity, colour and LED lighting are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the results of two experiments are presented. The aims of the study were to examine the location preference of growing rabbits depending on the floor types (plastic-mesh, wire-mesh and deep-litter) and temperature (low, medium and high; Trial 1), and to evaluate the productive performance of growing rabbits at medium room temperature (Trial 2). In Trial 1 at the age of 5 weeks, the rabbits were randomly placed in one of the three pens each with a basic area of 3.8m2 (43 rabbits/pen, 11.3rabbits/m2). The floor of each pen was 1/3 wire-mesh, 1/3 plastic-mesh and 1/3 deep-litter. The treatment was repeated in winter, spring and summer with the following room temperatures: 10–11°C (low, n=129), 17–20°C (medium, n=129) and 22–26°C (high, n=129), respectively. With infrared cameras, 24h video recordings were made once a week, between 5 and 11 weeks of age. The number of rabbits in each location in the pens was recorded at every 30min. The rabbits showed the lowest preference for deep-litter (P<0.001) at each age, regardless of the temperature. The preference for wire-mesh or plastic-mesh floor depended on the temperature. At lower temperature most rabbits preferred staying on plastic-mesh, however at medium and higher temperature more rabbits chose the wire-mesh floor during the final period of fattening. In Trial 2 the productive performance was examined. At the age of 35 days, the rabbits (n=126) were randomly sorted to three groups and were housed in pens with a basic area of 1.27m2 (14 rabbits/pen, 11rabbits/m2). The floor type of the pens was plastic-mesh, wire-mesh or deep-litter. The body weights of rabbits between the ages of 7 and 10 weeks were significantly higher in the group on wire-mesh and plastic-mesh compared to the rabbits on deep-litter. Twelve week-old rabbits showed no significant differences among the groups. No significant differences were found for feed intake, feed conversion ratio or mortality between the ages of 5 and 12 weeks, however significant differences were recorded between the plastic-mesh and deep-litter groups for the average daily weight gain. It could be concluded that rabbits do not prefer staying on deep-litter, their preferences between wire-net and plastic-mesh floor depends on the temperature and age. Housing the growing rabbits on wire- or plastic-mesh floors had no substantial differences, while housing rabbits on deep-litter negatively affected certain traits, but the alterations were smaller compared to the results of the relevant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina and Thyme supplementation on rabbit meat during retail display. At weaning 294 rabbits were allocated to 7 different treatments (42 rabbits/treatment). Rabbits of the control group (C) received a diet without any supplementation throughout the experiment (5–11weeks of age). The other groups were fed diets containing 5% Spirulina (S), 3% Thyme (T) or both supplements (ST) for the whole trial (5–11weeks; treatments S, T and ST), or for a part of the growing period (8–11weeks; treatments C–S, C–T and C–ST). Colour parameters, pH, water holding capacity and drip loss were determined on fresh and stored Longissimus dorsi muscle of 5 rabbits/treatment. Spirulina- and Thyme-supplemented diets had a significant effect on redness and yellowness of Longissimus dorsi. Drip loss was significantly reduced in C–T and T groups that also showed the highest content of α-tocopherol and n −3 fatty acids content and the lower lipid oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of the experiment was to study the reproductive performance and nursing behaviour of rabbit does under two different lighting schedules: 24h group=16L:8D (n=54 does) and 18h group=12L:6D (n=54 does). There was continuous lighting between 0.00 and 16.00h in the 24h group, however the lighting periods were modified day by day in the 18h group (between 0.00 and 12.00, 18.00 and 6.00, 12.00 and 24.00, 6.00 and 18.00, respectively). Rabbit does were first inseminated at 16.5 weeks of age (mean body weight: 3.69kg). A single batch, 42 day reproductive rhythm was applied. Rabbit does could nurse their kits freely. Nursing behaviour of the does and reproductive performance of the first five consecutive reproductive cycles were evaluated. The body weight of the does, the kindling rate, the litter size (born total, born alive, stillborn, at 21d and at 35d of age), the mortality of the kits and survival of the does were similar in the two groups. The litter and the individual weights at 21 and 35d were higher in the 24h group than in the 18h group (litter weight at 21d:3.21 vs. 3.08kg, P=0.004; at 35d:7.99 vs. 7.66kg, P=0.002; individual weight at 21d:371 vs. 351g, P<0.001; at 35d:931 vs. 883g, P<0.001, in groups 24h and 18h, respectively). Calculations of the numerical and overall productivity per 100 inseminations (kits born alive, number of kits at day 35, weight of weaned rabbits) were comparable. The frequency of nursing events was independent of the lighting schedule but the nursing events were shorter in the 24h than the 18h group (226±38s vs. 247±42s, respectively; P<0.001). In the 24h group, the most nursing events (87.5%) happened during the dark period and in the two hours after the lights were switched on. The same tendency was not observed in 18h group. When the distribution of nursing events of the 18h group was transferred to the 24h lighting schedule (16L:8D) which had been applied until the does' age of 13 weeks, 57.3% of the nursing events happened during the dark period and in the two hours after the lights were switched on. Contrary to our hypothesis, the reproductive performance of the does did not differ between the lighting schedules. The 12L:6D lighting schedule did not increase the nursing frequency of the does. It seems, that 18h rabbit does nursed their kits according to the former 16L:8D lighting schedule, under the control of a circadian clock that operates on a 24h cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Pannon White rabbit has a deep and reliable pedigree. • There was bottleneck effect during breed history. • Most of alleles were already fixed during breed history. The aims of the current research were to evaluate the quality of the pedigree, generation interval, gene origin, inbreeding, and effective population size of the current Pannon White rabbit breeding population. The pedigree information was supplied by the experimental farm of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who is responsible for the maintenance of the Pannon White rabbit breed. The studbook data of the registered animals up to 2022 were analysed. The active population in 2022 was chosen as the reference population for the current study. The complete generation equivalent was 12.11 whereas the average maximum generations was 39.15 for the reference population. All animals of the breeding stock were inbred, the average Wright's inbreeding coefficient was 12.52 %. Kalinowski's decomposition of inbreeding showed that inbreeding is originated mainly from the past. The proportion of rabbits having more than 30 GCI was above 30.02 % for the total population, whereas it was above 36.45 % for the reference population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated effects of Digestarom® (D) dietary inclusion before weaning (0–5 weeks old; BW) and/or after weaning (5–12 weeks old; AW) on growing rabbit carcass traits and meat quality. During BW, Pannon-Ka rabbits (does, kits) received two diets: a control diet (C) and one supplemented with 300 mg Digestarom®/kg (D). At weaning, each group was divided into 3 dietary sub-groups: CC and DD received C and D diets from 5 to 12 weeks of age, whereas DC was fed D from 5 to 8 weeks and C from 8 to 12 weeks of age (54 rabbits/group; AW). Rabbits were slaughtered at 12 weeks of age. Digestarom® supplementation improved carcass yield and body mid part proportion only when administered BW. Rabbits fed D BW had higher hind leg meat cooking losses. Loin meat spiciness and rancidity increased with D both BW and AW. In conclusion, Digestarom ® herbal formulation was ineffective in improving growing rabbit carcass traits or meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silkworm oil was used in a rabbit diet to evaluate its benefit on the fatty acid (FA) profile of different carcass portions. Two experimental diets were prepared: a control diet (commercial diet with 13 g/kg sunflower oil) and a silkworm oil diet (SWO) (commercial diet with 13 g/kg silkworm oil). Rabbits received the experimental diets the last three weeks before slaughter, which occurred at 10 weeks of age. At slaughter, hind leg meat, liver, and perirenal fat were sampled for FA profile analysis. The SWO diet significantly increased the n -3 FA of all three sampling sites and halved the n -6/ n -3 ratio of hind leg meat and perirenal fat. Furthermore, the liver of SWO rabbits was also richer in C22:6 n -3 compared to that of control rabbits. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the total dietary replacement of sunflower oil with silkworm oil in fattening rabbits positively changed the FA profile of the considered carcass tissues. • Silkworm oil (13 g/kg) completely replaced sunflower oil in the rabbit diet. • The FA profile of the silkworm oil diet was richer in C18:3 n -3 and had lower n -6/ n -3 than the control diet. • The proportion of C18:3 n -3 in rabbit meat, dissectible fat, and liver increased with the silkworm oil-enriched diet. • The inclusion of silkworm oil in the rabbit diet resulted in healthier meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of genotype (Pannon Large × Pannon Ka/Large/or Hungarian Giant × Pannon Ka/Hung), housing system (Cage or small Pen) and hay supplementation (Pellet without or with Hay/P + Hay/) on carcass and meat ( Longissimus dorsi /LD/ and hind leg/HL/) quality of growing rabbits. Large rabbits showed higher carcass weights, as well as higher fatness and meatiness compared to Hung rabbits. Caged rabbits were heavier, with higher prevalence of the mid part of the carcass, and showed higher fatness and lower meat toughness than Penned rabbits. Caged rabbits meat was richer in MUFA, but poorer in PUFA and Σ n − 6 FA. Hay supplementation impaired carcass weight, carcass fatness, L* and a* color, and lipids content. P + Hay increased the HL meat content of C18:3 n − 6 and C20:5 n − 3 FA. Overall results offer further information on how alternative breeds, housing systems and feeding strategies can affect carcass traits and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Genetic parameters were estimated in Pannon White rabbits for average daily gain (ADG, between the ages of 5 and 10weeks), thigh muscle volume (TMV, determined by Computer Tomography-scan) and litter weight at day 21 (recorded separately for each parity within the first four parities, LW21). LW21 of each parity of the first four parities were considered as separate traits, and all traits were analysed jointly using a six-trait animal model. REML procedure was applied using PEST for data coding and VCE software for estimating variance components. The heritability estimates for LW21 were moderately low and ranged between 0.10±0.02 and 0.17±0.02. Higher heritability estimates were recorded for TMV (0.20±0.02) and for ADG (0.21±0.01). The random common litter effects were low for LW21 (ranged between 0.04±0.01 and 0.13±0.04) and TMV (0.14±0.02) but these effects were moderate for ADG (0.18±0.01). An unfavourable genetic correlation was found between LW21 and TMV especially for the 3rd (−0.53±0.09) and 4th (−0.70±0.09) parities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present experiment tested a dietary supplementation with linseed oil and selenium to growing rabbits. The basal diet (B) contained 3% sunflower oil, while it was substituted with 3% linseed oil in the experimental feed (S). The selenium (Se) content of the two diets was 0.10 vs. 0.46 mg/kg. Rabbits were fed with B diet from the age of 18 days. One group was fed with the B diet until 11 weeks of age (group B), whereas the experimental groups were fed with S diet for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks (groups S1, S2, S3 and S4, respectively), before slaughtering (11 weeks of age). Live performance and carcass traits of rabbits, fatty acid ( FA) profile and selenium content of their hind leg ( HL) and Longissimus thoracis et lumborum ( LTL) meat were considered in this study. In addition, the effect of two different cooking methods on the nutritional value of the enriched HL meat was also assessed. The tested dietary supplementation only minimally affected the live performance and carcass traits of rabbits. The S supplementation significantly reduced the Σ n-6 FA and increased the Σ n-3 FA of the HL meat and LTL meat, compared to the B diet (p < 0.001); thus, n-6/ n-3 ratio was improved (p < 0.001). In addition, HL meat and LTL meat of S fed rabbits were significantly enriched in Se reaching a twofold increase in both meat cuts (p < 0.01). Therefore, the S supplementation improved the functional value of the rabbit meat. The heat treatment affected cooking loss, Se and vitamin E contents as well as the oxidative status of the HL meat (p < 0.001), with the different cooking methods providing different results. In addition, even if the beneficial C20:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3 decreased with cooking, the n-6/ n-3 ratio remained unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to test the effect of a dietary supplementation with Silybum marianum (SM), an herbaceous Mediterranean plant traditionally used to treat liver and gastrointestinal diseases and with antioxidant properties, on the productive performance, carcass traits and meat quality of growing rabbits. With this purpose, at weaning (5 weeks of age), a total of 144 Pannon Large rabbits were allocated to three experimental groups. The control group (C, n=51) was fed with a basal diet, whereas the other groups received the basal diet supplemented with SM herbal powder at two concentrations: 5 g/kg (SM1, n=48) and 10 g/kg (SM2, n=45). Rabbits were housed in wire-mesh cages (3 rabbits/cage) and fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Productive performance and mortality were recorded weekly. Rabbits were slaughtered at 11 weeks of age, carcasses were dissected, and hind leg (HL) and Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) meat were analysed for meat quality (oxidative status, pHu and L*, a*, b* colour) traits. In addition, a sensory analysis on the LTL meat was carried out by a trained panel. Mortality was significantly reduced in SM treatments compared to C group from week 6–7 (10.4 and 11.1 vs. 17.7%, for SM1, SM2 and C groups, respectively; P <0.05), and in SM2 compared to C and SM1 considering the whole productive cycle (5–11 weeks). The dietary inclusion of SM did not affect carcass traits and did not change neither colour nor oxidative status of LTL muscle. Differently, SM diet increased pHu of LTL muscle (5.98 vs. 6.03 vs. 6.10 in C, SM1 and SM2, respectively; P <0.05). The sensory traits of LTL meat were affected by SM dietary inclusion: a higher herbaceous odour was observed in SM2 compared to C and SM1 ( P <0.001) treatments, whereas rabbit odour followed an opposite trend with C receiving a higher score compared to SM1 and SM2 ( P <0.05). Panellists also perceived a stronger rabbit flavour in C than in SM1 and SM2 meat (2.40 vs. 1.90 and 1.70, P <0.05; P <0.001). Silybum marianum seems to be a promising natural feed additive to improve the health condition of growing rabbits. Differently, the antioxidant activity of Silybum marianum was not confirmed when considering fresh meat of rabbits supplemented with the inclusion levels of the present experiment. The dietary supplementation with Silybum marianum changed then sensory characteristics of rabbit loin thus, in the future, consumer acceptability should be also carefully assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment tested the effect of Digestarom® herbal supplementation on the antioxidant content, lipid oxidation and fatty acid profile of rabbit meat. At kindling, rabbit does and litters were divided into two dietary groups (N = 162 kits/dietary group) and fed either a control diet (C) or the C diet supplemented with Digestarom® (D: 300 mg/kg). At weaning (35 days) four experimental fattening groups (54 rabbits each) were considered: CC, CD, DC and DD. After slaughtering (12 weeks of age), Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles were dissected from 20 rabbits/group and analyzed. Rabbit meat of DD group was enriched in essential C18:3 n -3 fatty acid and in other long-chain PUFA of n -3 series. Despite meat of DD group displayed the highest peroxidability index, TBARs value was the lowest. Meat antioxidant content followed the rank order: DD > CD > DC > CC. Digestarom® improved fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbit meat, particularly when administered from weaning throughout the growing period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing demand by consumers for meat produced in alternative systems. Since its market share is quite small, but is growing, it could be important to deal with this issue. The aim of the experiment was to examine the effects of genotype (terminal line or traditional giant breed), housing system (cage or pen) and feeding method (only pelleted diets or pelleted diets plus hay) on production and ear lesions of growing rabbits. The crossbred rabbits ( n =336) Pannon Large×Pannon Ka (Large) and Hungarian Giant×Pannon Ka (Hung) were weaned at 5 wk of age. Half were randomly housed in cages (3 rabbits/cage) and the other half in pens (14 rabbits/pen). Two other subgroups were formed, rabbits that received only pelleted commercial diets (Pellet) or pelleted commercial diets plus grass hay (P+Hay), ad libitum . Differences were found in body weight at 12 wk of age and in weight gain and pellet intake between 5 and 12 wk in favour of the Large rabbits (3170 vs 2935 g, P <0.001; 42.3 vs 39.5 g/d, P <0.001; 147 vs 132 g/d, P <0.01, respectively). There were no significant differences in feed conversion ratio or mortality. The caged rabbits achieved better results for body weight at 12 wk and daily weight gain than the rabbits housed in pens (3123 vs 2982 g, P <0.001; 42.5 vs 39.4 g/d, P <0.001): while differences in pellet intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality were not significant. The rabbits that consumed only pelleted diets had higher body weights at 12 wk and weight gains than group P+Hay (3093 vs 3017 g, P <0.05; 41.6 vs 40.3 g/d, P <0.05, respectively). Ratios of ear lesions in the Large and Hung rabbits were not significantly different but were affected by housing system (0 and 34%; P <0.001, in cage and pen, respectively) and feeding method (20.6 and 8.3%; P <0.003, in the groups Pellet and P+Hay, respectively). It can be concluded that the alternative systems negatively influenced the production; the genotype had the greatest, while the feeding method had the lowest impact. Housing of rabbits in large groups was contrary to animal welfare (more ear lesions), although the hay supplementation reduced the aggressiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Production, carcass traits and meat quality of rabbits housed in cages or in different pens were compared. Rabbits (n=579) were sorted into 5 groups: C=cage (2 rabbits/cage); pen without platform: P11=9 rabbits/pen; P16=14 rabbits/pen; pen with platform: PW=wire net platform, 14 rabbits/pen; PD=platform with straw-litter, 14 rabbits/pen. Feed intake and average daily gain between 5 and 11weeks, and body weight at 11weeks were significantly higher in C rabbits than that of the mean of pen-housed groups, while the PD group had the lowest growth performance. C rabbits had the smallest hind part to reference carcass (P<0.001) and the largest percentage of perirenal and scapular fat (P<0.001). The meat/bone ratio was the largest in group C (P<0.05). Differences were recorded in a* value and lipid content of m. Longissimus dorsi. Rabbits housed in cages generally had the best performance whereas those housed in pens with platform exhibited the worst. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of the study was to determine the effect of birth weight and the influence of nutrient supply during nursing and after weaning on the performance of suckling and growing rabbits (n =182). The experiment was set-up using a 3×2×2 factorial arrangement. Newborn female rabbits were divided on the basis of their birth weight in 3 classes: low /L/=35–45g, medium /M/=53–58g and high /H/=65–70g. Half of the litters were nursed by one (O) doe and the other half by two does (T). Kits were weaned at 3weeks of age. From the age of 4weeks half of the rabbits were fed ad libitum (AL), while the other half were reared on a restricted feeding regime (R) corresponding to 80–85% of the ad libitum feed intake level. Birth weight had a significant effect on the body weight up to the end of the experiment (18weeks of age). H kits attained higher body weight at all ages (3772g at 18weeks of age compared to 3565g and 3373g for L and M rabbits, respectively). Significant differences were found in feed intake between 3 and 15weeks of age, in feed conversion between 9 and 12weeks of age and in weight gain between 3 and 4 and 12 and 15weeks of age, in the majority of cases in favour of the H rabbits. Nursing by one or two does exerted the most pronounced effect on the body weight. T kits had significantly higher body weight than O kits up to 15weeks of age (3306 vs. 3108g). Differences in feed intake, feed conversion and body weight were only periodically demonstrable between the groups O and T. The feeding regime exerted a significant influence on the feed intake, weight gain and body weight of kits. Significant differences in the feed conversion were found, however, only between 15 and 18weeks of age. Although AL rabbits achieved better feed conversion at all ages except the period between 9 and 12weeks of age. It seems that the three factors (birth weight, number of nursing does and feeding regime), especially the feed restriction, could influence the production of does. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]