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The experiment was started with 1,508 Rhode Island Red (RIR) and 1,820 Rhode Island White (RIW) type non-beak-trimmed day-old pullets, which were originated from 58 RIR and 70 RIW different pedigree cocks, respectively. From all of the 128 cocks 26 half sibling offspring were tested. The pure line pullets were raised up to 18 weeks of age in a closed building, in deep litter pens and moved to the laying house and placed into three types of keeping systems [furnished cage, alternative pen (litter and floor) and conventional cage] thereafter. The number of dead birds and the cause of mortality were recorded daily during the whole rearing and egg-laying period, up to 72 weeks of age. During the rearing period the most frequent cause of mortality was wasting, which accounted for nearly 36% of the total mortality. Aggression was responsible for 28.3% of the total mortality. Depending on the type of the pullets (RIR or RIW), differences were observed in the frequency of occurrence of mortality causes. For example, oedema and beak deformation occurred only in the RIR, whereas technological injury and aggression only in the RIW pullets during the rearing period. During the egg-laying period aggression was the most common cause of mortality. Its lowest occurrence was observed in the alternative pens. In both of the examined types there were found cocks, whose offspring died exclusively by aggression, and cocks, whose offspring did not show any loss due to aggression. The ratio of these cocks differed significantly (P

Simple Summary The spread of both alternative and non-cage laying hen housing systems and the more forceful European refusal of beak trimming generate new problems in commercial egg production. The hybrid layers, which have been genetically selected under cage housing conditions for more decades, have lively temperament, are more susceptible for feather pecking and, in more cases, they are expressly aggressive, which led to permanent conflict situations in the large group keeping systems. Therefore, the omission of beak trimming could lead to an increased risk for feather pecking and consequently to a risk for increased mortality in the hen house by using the current commercial layers. Therefore, changes in the live weight, plumage and body condition, egg production, and mortality of different TETRA pure line non-beak-trimmed laying hens were compared during the egg-production period in our study, where the plumage condition was considered as an indicator trait for feather pecking. Our results confirm the findings of former studies that the genetic background of the hens is an important factor impacting feather pecking and suggest that breeding for an improved plumage condition might be a potential way to improve animal welfare in non-beak-trimmed layer flocks. Abstract The experiment was carried out with altogether 1740 non-beak-trimmed laying hens, which originated from Bábolna TETRA Ltd., representing two different types (Rhode Island Red (RIR) and Rhode Island White (RIW)) and four different lines (Lines 1–2: RIR, Lines 3–4: RIW). The plumage and body condition of randomly selected 120 hens (30 hens/line) was examined at 20, 46, and 62 weeks of age. The egg production and the mortality of the sampled hens were recorded daily. Based on the results, it was established that the lines differ clearly in most of the examined traits. It was also pointed out that injurious pecking of the hens resulted not only in damages in the plumage but also in the body condition. The results obviously demonstrated that the highest egg production and the lowest mortality rate were reached by those hens, which had the best plumage and body condition. Because the occurrence of injurious pecking seems to depend on the genetic background, selection of the hens (lines, families, individuals) for calm temperament will be very important in the future in order to maintain the high production level in non-beak-trimmed layer flocks.

Growing rabbits’ (42 rabbits/group, 3 rabbits/cage, 14 cages/treatment) diet was supplemented with 5% Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and 3% thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) powder single (S or T) and in combination (ST) between 35 and 77 days of age. On day 0 (weaning at 35 days of age) 14 rabbits were vaccinated with 100 μg/animal ovalbumin to provoke immune response. Blood samples were taken on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 of the experimental period. Sampling dates significantly influenced total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine concentration and enzyme (AST, ALT, GGT) activities, with a significant age × diet interaction in the case of TP and CREA. There was a significant increase in ALT (+45 and 74%) and GGT (+87 and 102%) activity after immunisation. While Spirulina and thyme significantly ameliorated the rise in AST activity, their effect was inefficient in the case of GGT. Spirulina, both single and in combination showed a tendency in higher IgG level as compared to control (P0.05). Higher MDA concentration was measured in the red blood cells of S, T and ST animals, while no other significant diet effect on the antioxidant parameters was detected, however, significant sampling date × diet interaction was found in the case of GPx activity. Plasma GGT (increase by 19-66%) was inversely associated with GSH (decrease by 66-113%) between days 0 to 42 of the experimental period (r=-0.57, P

The experiment was carried out with 60 TETRA BLANCA laying hens chosen from 250 TETRA BLANCA pullets based on their body fat content, predicted at 16 weeks of age by means of computer tomography (CT). Pullets with the highest (n=20), lowest (n=20) and average (n=20) body fat content were chosen for the investigation. Changes in the body fat content of the experimental animals were followed by means of computer tomography in vivo, scanning the hens at every fourth week of the experiment, between 20 and 72 weeks of age. Eggs produced by these birds, were collected at 32, 52 and 72 weeks of age and, after breaking them, their yolk, albumen and egg shell ratio was determined and their dry matter, crude protein and crude fat content was chemically analyzed. Based on the results it was established that the body fat content of the hens started the egg production with high body fat content being higher than that of the hens started the egg production with average or low body fat content during the whole experimental period. The differences in the body fat content of the two extreme groups were statistically proven between 24 and 48 weeks of age (P0.05) by the starting body fat content of the hens.

1. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of production system on the meat quality of slow- and medium-growing chickens. A total of 1075 1-d-old male chicks were equally divided into 6 experimental groups, represented by three strains (SG: TETRA-H, MG1: TETRA HB Color, MG2: Shaver Farm) and were reared in a poultry house in floor pens (12 males/m(2)). 2. On d 49, 150 healthy birds (50/genotype) were placed in a free-range family farm while the rest of the birds remained indoors. All birds were fed ad libitum and consumed the same diet. On d 70, 20 birds of each experimental group were slaughtered and muscle samples were taken from the left breast and thigh muscles. 3. Thigh muscle of SG males kept on free range was darker (L* = 75.12 vs. 78.33) with lower frying loss (45.9% vs. 55.9%) compared with the indoor group. Similar results were obtained from the MG1 group. Free-range MG2 males had lighter thigh meat (L* = 50.7 vs. 57.8) and lower frying loss compared to the indoor group. 4. In general, the indoor treatment had a lower impact on breast meat than the outdoor system. Regardless of the rearing system, genotypic differences were more pronounced in thigh than in breast muscle.

Non-invasive computerized tomography was performed on commercial broiler chickens, in both sexes, between 4 to 18 weeks of age, with the aim of body composition measurement. On the basis of 16–32 scans gathered from each bird during the scanning procedure, volumetric measurement of the breast muscle was performed. These values were at the 259; 493; 786 cm3 and 195; 460; 668 cm3 in male and female birds at the age of 6, 12 and 18 weeks, respectively. The total body fat content was characterized by the so called „fat index”, a value independent of the live weight. This indices were 7,3; 7,14; 9,48 and 8,8; 13,3; 21,6 following the above order. Total body fat and crude protein was determined both by CT and chemical analysis. The variables of the prediction equations were taken from the density values of the Hounsfield scale between −140 and +150, by summarizing the frequencies within each interval of 10 values. Several models were developed with Principal Component Analysis. The R² values of the estimations were high (R2 = 0,89; 0,88) for total body fat but moderate (R2 = 0,39; 0,44) in the prediction of crude protein content. The investigation of the tissue development in the body was carried out by means of 3D histograms.

1. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in the production and in the body and egg composition of 45 TETRA SL brown egg layers and 45 TETRA BLANCA white egg layers during the first egg-laying period. 2. Changes in the body composition of the hens were followed in vivo by means of computed tomography (CT) four-weekly, between 20 and 72 weeks of age. The measurements covered the whole body of the hens using overlapping 10 mm slice thicknesses on a Siemens Somatom Emotion 6 multislice CT scanner. 3. The yolk, albumen and shell ratio of the eggs, produced on the days of the CT measurements by the hens, were determined and their composition was analysed chemically. 4. The body fat content of the hens increased continuously until 44 weeks of age and plateaued thereafter in both genotypes. However, the body fat content of the white egg layers was always higher than that of the brown egg layers. 5. The yolk ratio and the dry matter and crude fat content of the eggs of white egg layers were higher than the brown egg layers throughout the experiment. 6. Moderate correlations were observed in both genotypes between the body fat content of the hens and egg yolk ratio of their eggs.

1. Computed tomography was used for the in vivo determination of yolk ratio in 7000 domestic hen eggs, originated from two markedly different genotypes, in order to examine the effect of egg yolk ratio, gender and genotype on the development of hatched chicks. 2. Eggs with extremely low, average and extremely high yolk ratio were chosen for further investigation (n = 350 in each group in both genotypes). After incubating the selected eggs, hatched birds were reared and slaughtered at 11 weeks of age. 3. The yolk ratio of eggs significantly affected the body composition of the chickens at hatching and during rearing to 8-9 weeks of age. 4. Chickens of a genotype selected partly for weight gain had significantly higher live weight from hatching to the end of the rearing period and had better slaughter characteristics than those of the dual purpose TETRA-H genotype. 5. At hatching, only the dry matter content of the body was affected by the gender of the birds. The effect of gender on the live weight and body composition of chickens was evident from the 5th week of age to the time of slaughter. 6. It was concluded that eggs with a low yolk ratio were most beneficial for broiler production, because chickens hatched from these eggs had the highest slaughter weight and muscle index and the lowest fat index for their body mass.

The effect of different weaning ages, that is, 21 (G21), 28 (G28) or 35 (G35) days, on growth and certain parameters of the digestive tract was examined in rabbits to assess the risk of early weaning attributable to the less-developed digestive system. On days 35 and 42, G35 rabbits had 10% to 14% and 10% higher BW, respectively (P < 0.05), than those weaned at days 21 and 28. In the 4th week of life, early weaned animals had 75% higher feed intake than G28 and G35 rabbits (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the liver increased by 62% between 21 and 28 days of age, and thereafter it decreased by 76% between 35 and 42 days of age (P < 0.05), with G21 rabbits having 29% higher weight compared with G35 animals on day 35 (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract increased by 49% and 22% after weaning in G21 and G28 rabbits, respectively (P < 0.05). On day 28, the relative weight of the GI tract was 19% higher in G21 than in G28 rabbits, whereas on day 35 G21 and G28 animals had a 12% heavier GI tract compared with G35 rabbits (P < 0.05). Age influenced the ratio of stomach, small intestine and caecum within the GI tract; however, no effect of different weaning age was demonstrated. The pH value of the stomach and caecum decreased from 5.7 to 1.6 and from 7.1 to 6.3, respectively, whereas that of the small intestine increased from 6.8 to 8.4 (P < 0.05); the differences between groups were not statistically significant. Strictly anaerobic culturable bacteria were present in the caecum in high amounts (108), already at 14 days of age; no significant difference attributable to weaning age was demonstrable. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (tVFA) was higher in G21 than in G28 and G35 throughout the experimental period (P < 0.05). The proportion of acetic and butyric acid within tVFA increased, whereas that of propionic acid decreased, resulting in a C3 : C4 ratio decreasing with age. Early weaning (G21) resulted in higher butyric acid and lower propionic acid proportions on day 28 (P < 0.05). No interaction between age and treatment was found, except in relative weight of the GI tract and caecal content. In conclusion, early weaning did not cause considerable changes in the digestive physiological parameters measured, but it resulted in 10% lower growth in rabbits.

The effect of a non-medicated diet with or without a grain extract feed additive (benzoquinones as main active ingredients) on the growth of rabbits and certain physiological indicators of the digestive tract was examined. One-day-old rabbits of average birth weight were distributed into litters of eight, and these litters were randomly divided into three groups (21-22 litters/group). The control group (Group C) received a basal diet. The diet fed to rabbits of Group IM, was supplemented with a feed additive containing natural basic ingredients (Immunovet-HBM, 1 kg/t); the diet fed to Group M was medicated (tiamulin, oxytetracycline and diclazuril). Three days prior to kindling and up to weaning at 21 days of age of the pups, the does were fed one of the three diets ad libitum. Young rabbits were allowed to consume the same diets beside their mother’s milk before weaning. Significant (p < 0.05) difference in body weight between groups was detected only at the ages of 4 and 8 weeks. The pH of the gastric content remained significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Group IM after weaning. Rabbits in Group IM showed the highest pancreatic enzyme (trypsin, lipase, α-amylase) activities throughout the period studied. The composition of microflora of the caecum was only slightly altered by the treatment. The total volatile fatty acid content (tVFA) increased with age and from day 28 it was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the C and IM group than in M rabbits. The proportion of butyric acid was lower than that of propionic acid even on the 42nd day in Group M. From the results of this study it is clear that the early weaning of rabbits can be accomplished by the use of a non-medicated diet without any decrease in weight gain. In our study the grain extract feed additive exerted a beneficial effect by increasing the pancreatic enzyme activity and maintaining a better VFA ratio.

A total 120 laying hens (60 TETRA BLANCA white egg layers and 60 TETRA SL brown egg layers) were selected from 250 TETRA BLANCA and 250 TETRA SL pullets based on their predicted body fat content by means of computed tomography (CT) at 16 weeks of age. Three groups of pullets were chosen for the investigation with the highest (n = 20), lowest (n = 20) and average (n = 20) body fat content. Changes in the live weight, body fat content, egg production and egg composition of the chosen animals were recorded at 32, 52 and 72 weeks of age. Based on the results, it was established that differences in starting body fat content of the hens remained the same during the experimental period. The differences between the two extreme groups were statistically significant at each age. The starting body fat content of the hens affected the rate of egg production, i.e. hens with high starting body fat content produced 11-14 eggs fewer than the hens with a low or average body fat content but had no effect on the composition of the eggs. Genotype affected almost all of the examined traits: TETRA BLANCA hens had lower live weight and higher body fat content during the experimental period and produced fewer eggs with lower albumen and higher yolk, dry matter and crude fat content than the TETRA SL hens.

non-destructive method to predict the total lipid content and the lean body mass (LBM) was evaluated by measuring the total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) with common carp. This technique is based on the principle that body fat and fat-free mass differ in electric properties which can be measured in a low-frequency electromagnetic field. Experimental fish with average body weight of 1225 ± 298 g originated from a commercial stock. Fish were slaughtered immediately after the measurements and homogenized samples were taken from the grinded whole-body. The fat content of the homogenates was analysed using Soxhlet extraction after hydrochloric acid digestion. The weight of lean body mass (LBM) was calculated as the difference between the live weight and the weight of fat determined. The TOBEC method provided very precise estimation of lean body mass (R2 = 0.99). Total body lipid content (in gram) can also be predicted from the E value and live weight with adequate accuracy (R2 = 0.66) in the size range of 706–1989 g in common carp. The predictibility of the crude fat content (in %) was moderate (R2 = 0.37) in the present investigation. It could not be increased significantly by including other body measurements as standard lenght, height and circumference. Fat content of table-sized, sexually matured common carp can be estimated at a precision level that may be adequate only if high selection pressure has to be applied in a breeding program.

Title of the paper: Effect of selection on body fat content by means of the TOBEC method on some reproductive traits of rabbit does and on the body composition of growing rabbits In this experiment body fat content of Pannon White growing rabbits was determined at 10 weeks of age using an EM-SCAN SA-3152 type Small Animal Body Composition Analyser (TOBEC method). Based on the fat content determined the best and worst 16% of the does and the best and worst 8% of the bucks were chosen and mated with each other (fatty doe with fatty buck and lean doe with lean buck). It was found that the conception rate was significantly higher and the number of inseminations needed for the second kindling significantly lower in the case of fatty rabbits. An important, but not significant difference was observed in the case of total litter size at birth, which decreased in the case of live born litter size. This reason was the significantly higher ratio of the dead born pups in the case of non-fatty rabbits. Due to the higher ratio of total litter loss and suckling mortality in the case of fatty rabbits the litter size at 21 days differed notably, but again not significantly. In the offsprings of the F1 generation it was found that the fat content estimated and also the ratio of scapular and abdominal fat to the live weight calculated differed significantly (P < 0.05) from each other in the two experimental groups. The estimated fat content was 42% higher in the offsprings of fatty than in the offsprings of non-fatty rabbits. The differences in the ratio of the scapular and abdominal fat content to the live weight were 26% and 51%, respectively.

Using the so-called TOBEC (Total Body Electrical Conductivity) method for the in vivo determination of egg composition, the effect of egg composition on the slaughter characteristics of hatched chicks was examined in the ROSS-308 meat-type genotype. Chicks hatched from eggs with low, average and high electrical conductivity were slaughtered at 42 days of age. It was found that the weight of all of the examined traits showed highest values in the case of chicks hatched from eggs with low electrical conductivity, while the lowest values could be observed in the case of chicks hatched from eggs with high electrical conductivity. Similar tendencies were observed also in the case of the ratio of the examined slaughter traits to the slaughter weight, but in this case the differences were not statistically proven (P>0.05).

[EN] For 267 Pannon White growing rabbits of both sexes slaughtered at a body weight of 2.2-2.4, 2.4-2.6, 2.6-2.8, 2.8-3.0, 3.0- 3.2, 3.2-3.4 and 3.4-3.5 kg, the average dressing percentage was 59.5, 60.7, 61.9, 62.2, 61.4, 62.4 and 62.1 % respectively. While the weight of live animals increased by about 50 % between 2.29 and 3.42 kg the change in the weight of blood (23 %), full gastrointestinal tract (26 %) and head (35 %) were the lowest, whereas the intermediate part (65 %), liver (82 %), skin (73 %), meat on hind legs (74 %), meat on the intermediate part (85 %) and perirenal fat (326 %) gained weight the most rapidly. 129 Pannon White rabbits were slaughtered between 2.2 and 3.5 kg live weight. The water, protein, fat and ash content of their meat was analyzed in the M. longissimus dorsi (LD), hind leg (HL) and M. /ongíssimus dorsi + belly (LD + B). Water content averaged 74.8, 73.8 and 71.0 % in LO, HL and LD + B respectively, whereas protein, fat and ash content averaged 23.1, 22.1 and 21.7 %, 1.08, 3.24 and 6.39 %, 1.15, 1.09 and 1.04 % respectively, in the arder of the meat parts Usted above. Water content decreased and fat content increased with increasing weight (r = -0.47, -0.33 and -0.51, r = 0.38, 0.31 and 0.45 for water and fat contents of LD, HL and LD + B respectively). Protein and ash content did not change significantly with weight., [FR] Pour 267 /apins en croissance de génotype Pannon White, des deux sexes, abattus au poids vif de 2,2-2,4; 2,4-2,6; 2,6-2,8; 2,8-3,0; 3,0- 3,2 ; 3,2-3,4 ; 3,4-3,5 kg, le rendement moyen a /'abattage a été de 59,5 - 60, 7 - 61,9 - 62,2 - 61,4 - 62,4 et 62, 1% respectivement. A/ors que le poids vif des animaux augmente d'environ 50% entre 2,29 et 3,42 kg, les augmentations de poids du sang (23%), du tractus gastrointestinal plein (26%), et de la téte (35%) ont été inférieures a cene du poids vif. A /'inverse, les augmentations de poids du rSble (65%), du foie (72%), de la peau (73%), des muse/es des pattes arriares ou du rSble (7 4% et 85%) et surtout du gras périrénal (326%) ont été plus rapides que ce/le du poids vif. Par ailleurs, 129 lapins Pannon White ont été abattus entre 2,2 et 3,5 kg de poids vif. Les teneurs en eau, protéines, lipides et matiares minéra/es ont été déterminées pour le muse/e longissimus dorsi (LO), /es muse/es d'une patte arriare (HL) et /'ensemble muscu/aire longissimus dorsi + paroi abdominale (LO + B). La teneur moyenne en eau est de 74,8- 73,8 et 71,0% pour LO, HL et LO+ B, tandis que les teneurs moyennes en protéines, lipides et minéraux des mémes ensemb/es muscu/aires sont de 23, 1 - 22, 1 et 21, 7 % ; 1,08 - 3,24 et 6,39% ; 1, 15 - 1,09 et 1,04 respectivement. Quand le poids vif augmente, la teneur en eau diminue et la teneur en lipides augmente (r = -0,47, -0,33 et -0,51 ; r = +0,38 ; +0,31 et +0,45 pour /'eau et les lipides de LO, HL et LO + B, respectivement). Les teneurs en protéines et en matiares minérales ne varient pes significativement avec le poíds vif.

1. Using the so-called TOBEC (Total Body Electrical Conductivity) method, which allows the determination of egg composition in vivo, correlations between egg composition, hatchability and hatched chicks' development were studied. 2. A total of 1500 hen eggs (Ross-308) were measured by TOBEC, and eggs with extremely high (10%, n = 150), extremely low (10%, n = 150) and average (10%, n = 150) electrical conductivity values were chosen for further investigation. 3. During the incubation period, it was observed that eggs with high electrical conductivity had a significantly higher mortality than eggs with low electrical conductivity. 4. It was observed that both the increase in electrical conductivity at the same egg weight, and the increase in egg weight at the same electrical conductivity resulted in an increase in the hatching weight. 5. It was found that the dry matter, protein and fat content of the chicks hatched from eggs with low electrical conductivity was higher at hatching than that of the chicks hatched from eggs with high electrical conductivity. 6. At 42 d of age the liveweight of cocks and pullets hatched from eggs with low electrical conductivity was 3.2 and 8.2% higher than the liveweight of cocks and pullets hatched from eggs with high electrical conductivity. 7. Because of the higher liveweight at slaughter, there was a significant superiority of the chicks hatched from eggs with low electrical conductivity in the case of the examined carcase traits at slaughter. 8. Similar tendencies were found also in the ratios of carcase variables to liveweight, but the between group differences were not statistically significant in this case. 9. Based on the results it was concluded that TOBEC seems to be a useful method for separating eggs with different composition. 10. This could be a good starting point for further in vivo investigations in order to clarify the effect of egg composition on hatchability and further development.

The effect of nursing method and ingestion of maternal faeces on the development of the bacteroides, lactobacillus and coliform flora of the caecum in the first 10 days of life were examined in freely nursed pups having access to maternal faeces (Group FF), pups nursed once a day and having access (Group CF), or having no access (Group CN) to maternal faeces. Colonisation of the caecum by Bacteroides commenced already on day 3 after birth. On day 2 the bacteroides counts were below 100, while on day 4 they were already between 100 and 10000. In Group CN, the Bacteroides counts were lower (by 14 to 40%) throughout the 10-day period studied than in the groups having access to maternal faeces. Differences between groups were significant only on days 4 and 6. The average number of maternal faecal pellets left behind the doe in Group CN was 3-4 (between 0.5 and 6.4 per doe). In Groups FF and CF the pellets became smaller, crumbled and finally disappeared from the nest box, they were consumed by the pups and could be found in their gastric content. The lactobacillus counts decreased in all three groups with age, from 6.0 to 3.5 loglO CFU·g -1 (FF), 4.6 to 2.8 log 10 CFU·g -1 (CF) and 5.1 to3.1 log10 CFU·g -1 (CN), respectively. The coliform counts were higher in the first 4 days in FF (5.6 log10 CFU·g -1 ) than in CF (< 2 log10 CFU·g -1 ) and CN (2-3.6 log10 CFU·g -1 ) animals. Bacteroides could be cultured from the surface of the vulvar labia (max. 1000 colony count) and the vagina (max. 190 colony count), so young rabbits could become "infected" by them already in the doe's vagina. Thus prevention of ingestion of maternal faeces only slightly influenced the development of the bacteroides flora, the faeces left behind by the doe did not play an exclusive role in their colonisation.

The aim of this study was to compare the behaviour and the production and slaughter traits of growing rabbits reared in different alternative rearing systems and in conventional fattening cages. The experiment was carried out with 312 Pannon White growing rabbits between 5 and 11 weeks of age. According to the pen size, floor type and stocking density 8 experimental groups were created. For analyzing the different behavioural patterns 24 h video recordings were performed weekly by using infrared cameras. The body weight and the feed consumption of the rabbits were also measured weekly. At 11 weeks of age all of the animals were slaughtered and dissected. For the comparison of the behaviour and production of the experimental and control animals the Dunnett-test was used. It was established that the different alternative rearing methods have a significant effect only on the social and stereotype behaviour of the rabbits. The daily weight gain was highest in the control animals, while lowest in the rabbits reared on deep litter. The feed consumption, the feed conversion ratio and the slaughter characteristics were not affected by the rearing method. It was concluded that from the ethological point of view housing rabbits in pens – particularly on deep litter – has a favourable effect on both of the social and stereotype behaviours’ frequency. However, when rabbits are reared on deep litter, some consumption of the litter material should be calculated, but it does not decrease the pellet consumption and the final liveweight of the animals significantly.