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Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 29935

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Dr. Marco Birolo

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Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
Interests: rabbit and poultry feeding and nutrition; rabbit and poultry welfare; fish feeding; fish welfare; aquaponics; aquaculture
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Dear Colleagues,

Different nutritional and feeding strategies have been applied in growing rabbits to reduce the incidence of digestive diseases and to enhance productive performance as well as the global feed conversion ratio. Indeed, the high production costs and the occurrence of digestive disturbances, which are responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates in the fattening sector, represent the major threats to the profitability of rabbit farms. However, the main solution to control digestive diseases in growing rabbits is still the use of antibiotics, but this approach has critical issues concerning public health and animal welfare. Furthermore, consumers are increasingly concerned about the safety, quality, and sustainability of foods. Additionally, an enhanced farm feed efficiency can be achieved not only by improving genetics and management, but also by ensuring rabbit nutrition. Moreover, the development of new feeding strategies for the optimization of gut health, performance, and meat quality of growing rabbits is currently required. Further insights regarding nutritional and feeding strategies to optimize health, reproductive performance, and lifespan of rabbit does are also needed.

Another urgent need for the rabbit sector regards the development of alternative rearing and housing systems. Indeed, the European citizens’ initiative “End the Cage Age” has recently received a response from the European Commission, which intends to propose the gradual overcoming of the cage systems for the rearing of farm animals. Among the alternative housing systems, park systems have been investigated during the last years, but the design, structural characteristics, and equipment (e.g., environmental enrichments) of the parks are not sufficiently standardized. Moreover, there are severe issues regarding the collective housing of rabbit does (aggressive behaviors, wounds, and reduced productive and reproductive performance), which require the study of innovative solutions to improve animal health, welfare, and performance. Improving knowledge regarding the feeding and management of the rabbit in extensive rearing systems, including organic farming, through nutritional and behavioral studies is also required.

Thus, the present Special Issue addresses the latest advancements regarding rabbit nutrition as well as feeding and rearing systems for the purpose of: i) defining nutrient requirements of growing, fattening rabbits and reproductive rabbit does; ii) preventing digestive disturbances in the post-weaning and fattening periods; iii) reducing the environmental pollution of rabbit farms; iv) improving growth and reproductive performance, as well as feed efficiency; v) limiting the impact of environmental stressors; vi) enhancing the end-product safety and quality; vi) exploring the use of innovative prebiotics, probiotics, natural extracts, and by-products in rabbit feeding; and vii) enhancing knowledge regarding the health, performance, behavior, and welfare of growing rabbits and rabbit does reared in alternative housing and rearing systems.

Both original papers and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Marco Birolo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

rabbit
nutrient requirements
feeding plans
natural extracts
prebiotics
probiotics
gut microbiota
health
growth performance
meat quality
food safety
environmental impact
housing systems
rabbit doe
welfare
behavior

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 183 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit

by Marco Birolo

Animals 2023, 13(8), 1305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081305 - 11 Apr 2023

Viewed by 2429

Abstract

During the last years, several issues have contributed to a progressive decline in rabbit meat consumption in the European Union, including consumers’ concerns for animal welfare, the unsuitable presentation of the end product, an increased popularity of rabbits as pet animals, high production [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

Research

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15 pages, 994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to Assess Carcass Composition and Nutrient Retention in Rabbits from 25 to 77 Days of Age

by Alejandro Saiz del Barrio, Ana Isabel García-Ruiz, Joaquín Fuentes-Pila and Nuria Nicodemus

Animals 2022, 12(21), 2926; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212926 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1168

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess and validate, using independent data, the prediction equations obtained to estimate in vivo carcass composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to determine the nutrient retention and overall energy and nitrogen retention efficiencies of growing rabbits. Seventy-five rabbits grouped into five different ages (25, 35, 49, 63 and 77 days) were used in the study. A four-terminal body-composition analyzer was applied to obtain resistance (Rs, Ω) and reactance (Xc, Ω) values. All the animals were stunned and bled at each selected age, and the chilled carcasses were analyzed to determine water, fat, crude protein (CP), ash and gross energy (GE). Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the equations, using body weight, length and impedance data as independent variables. The coefficients of determination (R²) to estimate the content of water, protein, fat and ash in grams, and energy in Mega Jules(MJ), were: 0.99, 0.99, 0.95, 0.96 and 0.98, respectively, and the relative mean prediction errors (RMPE) were: 4.20, 5.48, 21.9, 9.10 and 6.77%, respectively. Carcass yield (%) estimation had values of 0.50 and 10.0 for R² and RMPE, respectively. When water content was expressed as a percentage, the R² and RMPE were 0.79 and 1.62%, respectively. When the protein, fat and ash were expressed as a percentage of dry matter (%DM) and the energy content as kJ/100 g DM, the R² values were 0.68, 0.76, 0.66 and 0.82, respectively, and the RMPEs were 3.22, 10.5, 5.82 and 2.54%, respectively. Energy Retention Efficiency was 20.4 ± 7.29%, 21.0 ± 4.18% and 20.8 ± 2.79% from 35 to 49, from 49 to 63 and from 35 to 63 d, respectively. Nitrogen Retention Efficiency was 46.9 ± 11.7%, 34.5 ± 7.32% and 39.1 ± 3.23% for the same periods. Energy was retained in body tissues for growth with an efficiency of approximately 52.5%, and the energy efficiency for protein and fat retention was 33.3 and 69.9%, respectively. This work shows that BIA is a non-invasive and good method to estimate in vivo carcass composition and to determine the nutrient retention of growing rabbits from 25 to 77 days of age. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

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16 pages, 336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth Performance, Digestive Efficiency, and Meat Quality of Two Commercial Crossbred Rabbits Fed Diets Differing in Energy and Protein Levels

by Marco Birolo, Gerolamo Xiccato, Francesco Bordignon, Sihem Dabbou, Andrea Zuffellato and Angela Trocino

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182427 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2495

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of digestible energy (DE) and crude protein (CP) levels on growth, digestive efficiency, slaughter yield and meat quality in growing rabbits of two genotypes (Grimaud, G vs. Hyla, H). A total of 384 crossbred rabbits (192 G and 192 H), half males and half females, were divided into eight experimental groups according to a bi-factorial arrangement (2 genotypes × 4 diets; 48 animals/group) and reared in individual cages. From 33 to 64 days of age, rabbits were fed four diets obtained by combining two DE levels (high, HE—10.9 MJ/kg vs. low, LE—9.2 MJ/kg, on average) and two CP levels (high, HP—159 g/kg vs. low, LP—144 g/kg, on average). Then, all rabbits received the same fattening diet (10.7 MJ DE/kg; 156 g CP/kg) until slaughtering (77 days of age). Growth performance did not differ between genotypes for the entire trial (on average final live weight 3010 g; daily weight gain 50.5 g/d), but H rabbits showed a faster growth during the post-weaning period (p ≤ 0.01) compared to G rabbits, while exhibiting lower slaughter yield and lower carcass fatness (p ≤ 0.01). As DE level increased, feed intake decreased and feed conversion improved (p < 0.001), while caecal volatile fatty acid concentration increased and caecal pH and N-ammonia decreased (p ≤ 0.01). The reduction in the CP level did not affect performance and carcass traits. No significant interaction was detected between genotype and diet. In conclusion, G rabbits may have an advantage over H rabbits because of the higher slaughter yield. As for the nutritional characteristics of diets for high-producing crossbred rabbits, high energy levels are confirmed to enhance feed efficiency, whereas dietary CP can be reduced to 144 g/kg without negative effects on performance and carcass traits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

13 pages, 534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rabbits Divergently Selected for Total Body Fat Content: Changes in Proximate Composition and Fatty Acids of Different Meat Portions

by Marco Cullere, Zsolt Szendrő, Zsolt Matics, Zsolt Gerencsér, Rozália Kasza, Tamás Donkó and Antonella Dalle Zotte

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2396; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182396 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1266

Abstract

The present research studied the potential of a four-generation divergent selection (Pannon maternal rabbit lines) based on the total body fat content to create two rabbit lines with different meat attributes: a Fat line to deliver greater amounts of healthy fatty acids for newborns and infants, and a Lean line intended to provide lean meat for everyday consumption. Selection was based on the fat index calculated in 10-week-old live rabbits by means of computed tomography (CT). For each generation, 60 rabbits/line were fed ad libitum with commercial pellet from weaning (5 weeks) to slaughter (11 weeks). A total of 15 rabbits/line were randomly selected for meat quality evaluations: the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles (LTLs), hind legs (HLs), forelegs (FLs) and abdominal wall (AW) were analyzed for their proximate composition and fatty acid (FA) profile. FA contents were also calculated. Results highlighted that it was possible to obtain leaner meat for everyday consumption in most meat portions starting from generation 4 (7.93 vs. 11.9, 5.10 vs. 5.98 and 7.26 vs. 10.9 g of lipids/100 g of meat in Lean and Fat groups for the FLs, HLs and AW, respectively). The sole exception was the LTLs, which were not affected by the divergent selection. The total PUFA amount increased in FL and AW (p < 0.05) portions of the Fat line only, attributable to a greater n-3 amount (151 vs. 216 and 73 vs. 143 mg/100 g of meat in Lean and Fat groups for the FLs and AW, respectively). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

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13 pages, 290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Exogenous Lysozyme Supplementation on Growth Performance, Caecal Fermentation and Microbiota, and Blood Constituents in Growing Rabbits

by Salma H. Abu Hafsa, Amr E. M. Mahmoud, Amal M. A. Fayed and Abdel-Azeem S. Abdel-Azeem

Animals 2022, 12(7), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12070899 - 31 Mar 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2120

Abstract

The effects of exogenous lysozyme supplementation (LYZ) on growth performance, caecal fermentation and microbiota, and blood characteristics were investigated in growing rabbits. A total of 420 growing male V-Line rabbits (30 d old; weighing 528 ± 16 g) were randomly divided into four groups of 105 rabbits each, and monitored for 42 days. Experimental groups included a control group (LYZ0) fed a basal diet without LYZ supplementation, and three treated groups fed the same basal diet supplemented with LYZ at 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg diet, respectively. The results showed a quadratic improvement in the final body weight, daily growth rate, FCR, and digestibility of DM, while the digestibility of OM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF improved linearly when LYZ supplementation was increased. The dressing percentage increased quadratically when LYZ levels were increased in the rabbit diets. In rabbits fed LYZ diets, L. acidophilus counts increased linearly (p < 0.05) and L. cellobiosus, and Enterococcus sp. counts increased quadratically, whereas E. coli counts decreased. In the LYZ-supplemented groups, the caecal pH value and NH₃-N concentration declined quadratically, whereas total VFA, acetic, and butyric acids increased. Total lipids decreased linearly, whilst triglycerides and cholesterol decreased quadratically with LYZ supplementation. Total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase increased quadratically, while malondialdehyde decreased linearly in the LYZ-supplemented groups. In conclusion, exogenous lysozyme administration improved rabbit growth performance and antioxidant status while lowering the blood lipid profile, altering the bacterial population, and regulating caecal fermentation. Therefore, LYZ up to 150 mg/kg can be used as a potential supplement in rabbit feed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

13 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effect of Type and Dietary Fat Content on Rabbit Growing Performance and Nutrient Retention from 34 to 63 Days Old

by Saiz del Barrio Alejandro, García-Ruiz Ana Isabel and Nicodemus Nuria

Animals 2021, 11(12), 3389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123389 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1912

Abstract

The study was carried out on individually and collectively housed growing rabbits from 34 to 63 days of age. Two experiments were conducted using three fat sources: Soybean oil (SBO), Soya Lecithin Oil (SLO), and Lard (L; Exp. 1), and SBO, Fish Oil (FO), and Palm kernel Oil (PKO; Exp. 2), added at two inclusion levels (1.5 and 4.0%). In both trials, 180 rabbits were housed in individual cages and additional 600 rabbits in collective cages from day 34 to 63. Animals fed with 4% dietary fat showed lower Daily Feed Intake (DFI) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) than those fed with 1.5%, except in the individually housed animals in Exp. 1. In the collective housed group in Exp. 1, DFI was a 4.8% higher in animals fed with diets containing lard than those fed with SBO (p = 0.036). Lard inclusion also tended to reduce mortality (p = 0.067) by 60% and 25% compared with SBO and SLO diets, respectively. Mortality was the highest with the higher level of soya lecithin (14% vs. 1%, p < 0.01). A similar mortality rate was observed in the lowest level of SBO. In the grouped-housed animals in Exp. 2, a decrease of DFI (−12.4%), Bodyweight (BW) at 63 d (−4.8%), and Daily Weight Gain (DWG) (−7.8%) were observed with the inclusion of fish oil (p < 0.01) compared to other fat sources. Fish oil also tended to increase (p = 0.078) mortality (13.2%) compared with palm kernel oil (6.45%); similar results were found when animals were individually housed. The overall efficiency of N retention (NRE) increased with the highest level of fat in Exp. 1 (34.9 vs. 37.8%; p < 0.0001). It can be concluded that lard and palm kernel oil are alternative sources of fat due to the reduction of mortality. The inclusion of fish oil impaired animal productivity and increased mortality. An increment of the dietary fat level improved FCR and overall protein retention efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

16 pages, 1175 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Dietary Supplementation with Moringa oleifera Leaves on Performance, Meat Characteristics, Oxidative Stability, and Fatty Acid Profile in Growing Rabbits

by Shaimaa Selim, Mahmoud F. Seleiman, Mohamed M. Hassan, Ahmed A. Saleh and Mohamed A. Mousa

Animals 2021, 11(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020248 - 20 Jan 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 10320

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) have gained great interest as a non-traditional feed ingredient due to their unique nutritional value. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of graded dietary supplementation levels with MOL on performance, carcass characteristics, antioxidant capacity, blood biochemical constituents, meat quality, and fatty acids profile of growing rabbits. A total of 120 weaned New Zealand white rabbits (6 weeks old) were randomly allotted into 4 dietary groups with 5 replicates each (n = 6), which were fed for 42 days with a basal diet as control or 3 experimental diets supplemented with 5, 10, or 15 g/kg MOL. The results showed that, compared to the control group, the dietary inclusion of MOL at a level of 10 and 15 g/kg DM linearly increased (p < 0.01) final live weight (2403.3 and 2498.2 vs. 2166.6) and average daily weight gain (36.5 and 35.51 g/d vs. 28.72 g/d), and enhanced feed conversion ratio (2.49 and 2.50 vs. 3.14). The dietary supplementation with MOL linearly increased dressing out percentage, spleen index, intestinal length, and decreased abdominal fat index (p < 0.01). Greater serum levels of total protein and globulin, but lower alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed in the MOL-fed rabbits (p < 0.01). Serum levels of total triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05) were decreased linearly and quadratically in the MOL groups compared with the control. Glutathione peroxidase activity increased (p < 0.01), whereas malondialdehyde decreased (p < 0.01) linearly and quadratically in both serum and meat, in response to dietary MOL supplementation. Dietary MOL supplementation increased the meat crude protein content but lowered the relative content of ether extract in the meat (p < 0.05). The relative content of the meat n-3 PUFA was increased by about 33.71%, 29.46%, and 24.36% for the MOL_0.5%, MOL_1%, and MOL_1.5% groups compared to control. In conclusion, MOL could be used at a level of 1.5g/kg of the growing rabbits’ diets with beneficial impacts on performance, antioxidant capacity, and the nutritional value of the meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

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Review

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13 pages, 1643 KiB

Open AccessReview

Urea Nitrogen Metabolite Can Contribute to Implementing the Ideal Protein Concept in Monogastric Animals

by Pablo Jesús Marín-García, Lola Llobat, Mari Carmen López-Lujan, María Cambra-López, Enrique Blas and Juan José Pascual

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182344 - 8 Sep 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2489

Abstract

The ideal protein concept refers to dietary protein with an amino acid profile that exactly meets an animal’s requirement. Low-quality protein levels in the diet have negative implications for productive and reproductive traits, and a protein oversupply is energetically costly and leads to an excessive N excretion, with potentially negative environmental impact. Urea Nitrogen (UN), which corresponds to the amount of nitrogen in the form of urea circulating in the bloodstream, is a metabolite that has been widely used to detect amino acid imbalances and deficiencies and protein requirements. This review aims to critically analyse how UN can contribute to accurately implementing the ideal protein concept in monogastric animals, particularly in pig, poultry, and rabbit nutrition (14,000 animals from 76 published trials). About 59, 37, and 4% of trials have been conducted in pigs, poultry, and rabbits, respectively. UN level was negatively correlated to main performance traits (Pearson Correlation Coefficient [PCC] of −0.98 and −0.76, for average daily gain and feed conversion ratio, respectively), and lower UN level was related to higher milk yield and concentration. High level of UN was positively correlated to N excretion (PCC = 0.99) and negatively correlated to protein retention (PCC = −0.99). Therefore, UN in blood seems to be a proper indicator of amino acid imbalance in monogastric animals. Great variability in the use of UN was observed in the literature, including uses as determination medium (blood, plasma, or serum), units, and feeding system used (ad libitum or restricted), among others. A standardization of the methods in each of the species, with the aim to harmonize comparison among works, is suggested. After review, UN measurement in plasma and, whenever possible, the utilization of the same nutritional methodology (ad libitum conditions or restriction with blood sampling after refeeding at standardised time) are recommended. More studies are necessary to know the potential of UN and other bioindicators for amino acid deficiencies evaluation to get closer to the ideal protein concept. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

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14 pages, 288 KiB

Open AccessReview

Probiotics in Rabbit Farming: Growth Performance, Health Status, and Meat Quality

by Simone Mancini and Gisella Paci

Animals 2021, 11(12), 3388; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123388 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4455

Abstract

The rabbit’s complex microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) plays a critical role in feed digestion, in vitamin production, in fermentative activity with production of volatile fatty acids, and stimulation of immune response, as well as in the infection defence against pathogens and countering environmental stresses. To prevent digestive disorders of this fragile ecosystem, rabbit breeders adopt suitable diets supplemented with additives such as probiotics. Probiotics can interact with the host and with the other microflora leading to an increased health status. A review on the effects of probiotics on rabbit growth performance, health status, and meat quality was conducted to reduce the incidence of digestive diseases and enhance productive performance. Some authors observed that the supplementation of probiotics to the diet improved feed conversion ratio and growth and digestion coefficients, while other authors reported a lack of effect on the live performance. Benefits derived from the use of probiotics were observed on the mortality and the morbidity. The studies performed, to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation in diets on the immune response, showed variations in the results. Some authors reported no significant effect on haematological parameters, such as total protein, immunoglobulins, and IgG, while others observed a significant increase or decrease of the same parameters. Most of the research reported significant modifications of intestinal morphology and positive effects on the GIT microbiota, supporting the host’s natural defences. Regarding the carcass and meat quality, the studies reported only partial and opposing results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit)

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