Influence of the paternal genetic origin and season on the live performances and the carcass yield of rabbits reared in the organic production system
Organic rabbit production (ORP) must follow the guidelines for organic livestock system (EC regulation 1804/1999) but they give very few indications for rabbit rearing. In Italy, two organisms of certification (ICEA, AIAB) provide respectively the control system and the guidelines for the rabbit rea...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2010-01-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Animal Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.aspajournal.it/index.php/ijas/article/view/854 |
| Summary: | Organic rabbit production (ORP) must follow the guidelines for organic livestock system (EC regulation 1804/1999) but they give very few indications for rabbit rearing. In Italy, two organisms of certification (ICEA, AIAB) provide respectively the control system and the guidelines for the rabbit reared under organic system. Regarding to the breed, only pure breeds and their crosses of first generation must be used; the red-eyes breeds are forbidden. The choice of the breed must consider mainly their resistance to disease, their rusticity and slow growth. The latest rule is needed because of the rabbits must be slaughtered when reaching the 14th wk of age. In Italy, the ORP is just developing so, the permitted breeds are not yet selected for carcass and meat quality. Among the adoptable breeds, Vienna Blue and Burgundy Fawn are those the more profitable for the ORP. The aim of this study was to compare the live performance and the carcass yield of rabbits derived from two sire genetic origins, Vienna Blue and Burgundy Fawn, reared in organic system and under different rearing season. |
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| ISSN: | 1594-4077 1828-051X |