Effect of transport duration and gender on rabbit carcass and meat quality

Abstract:

In order to evaluate the effect of transport duration and gender on carcass and meat quality, 204 rabbits were reared in individual cages from 35 d of age until slaughter at 77 d (average live weight at shipping: 2662±189 g). Before slaughter, four groups of rabbits were formed and transported for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours from the breeding unit to the slaughterhouse. Increasing the duration of transport increased transport losses (2.44% to 4.59%; P<0.001), decreased dressing percentage (59.5% to 58.9%; P<0.01) and increased the redness of the longissimus dorsi muscle (CIE a* 2.38 to 2.73; P<0.05). Commercial carcass grading for colour, conformation and fatness were not affected by transport duration. The effect of gender was appreciable at slaughter: final live weight and transport losses were higher in females than males. Dressing percentage was lower in females (59.1 vs 59.8%; P<0.01) due to the greater gut content. Carcasses of females showed a higher proportion of longissimus muscle (P<0.01). The meat of females was darker (CIE L* of biceps femoris muscle: 54.9 vs 55.9; P<0.01) and less coloured (Chroma index of longissimus lumborum muscle: 3.52 vs 3.87; P<0.05) than males.

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