Carcass characteristics of rabbits raised in the semi-arid region of Nigeria

Aims: This study was carried out to investigate the carcass characteristics of male and female rabbits raised in the semi-arid condition.Methods and Results: Twenty-four (24) rabbits, comprising of 12 bucks and 12 does, were used for this study. At 12 weeks of age, the rabbits were weighed and slaughtered. Parameters measured include; pre-slaughter weight (kg), hot carcass weight (g), four primal cut weights (shoulder, ribs, loin and rump), internal organs weight (liver, lungs, kidneys, hearts, stomach and intestines). Sex had non-significant effects on the pre-slaughter, hot carcass and the four primal cuts weights (shoulder, ribs, loin and rump).Conclusion: Conclusively, sexual dimorphism existed in the weights of the internal organs such as; liver, lungs, kidneys and intestines where female rabbits had higher weights. However, the pre-slaughter, hot carcass, shoulder, rib, loin and rump weights were not significantly affected by sex, implying that any of the sex could be safely utilize for meat production. Pre-slaughter weight was positively correlated with the weights of hot carcass, shoulder, rib, loin and rump while negatively correlated with liver, stomach and intestine.Significance and Impact of Study: Pre-slaughter weight could be use as selection criterion for improvement of carcass quality in rabbits.