Effect of Restricted Feeding and Realimentation on Growth, Carcass Composition and Organ Growth during the First Seven Days of Realimentation in Rabbit

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Abstract
The effect of restricted feeding and realimentation on growth and carcass composition was studied in an experiment with 55 rabbits of the Swedish White Domestic breed. The rabbits were slaughtered in groups of 5 at the start (850 g), at 1300 g and 2400 g and 5 and 10 or 3 and 7 days after having reached 2400 g live weight. The restricted feeding started at 850 g live weight and lasted to 1300 or 2400 g. The restriction was 50 or 60% of the ad lib consumption of their littermates. Realimentation was at 100%. The restriction had a significant effect on apparent digestibility, which proved better in the restricted animals. Total feed consumption and feed consumption per kg live weight gain were significantly greater for the group restricted to 50% compared with the group fed ad lib. The group restricted to 60% was similar to the latter group. Compensatory growth was shown by the group restricted to 60% during the first 7 days of realimentation. The group restricted to 50% also compensated during the 1st wk or realimentation but this could not be seen when growth was recorded over a longer period of time. Ad lib feeding produced carcasses which throughout the experiment had a greater content of DM [dry matter] fat and energy, and a lower content of protein in the soft tissue than the restricted or restricted-realimented carcasses. The internal organs were appreciably affected by restriction and realimentation. In the group restricted to 60% the liver increased its DM by 91% during 7 days of realimentation compared with 5% for the corresponding ad lib fed group.