RU2850095C1 - Method for increasing meat productivity in rabbits - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: feed production; rabbit breeding.

SUBSTANCE: Rabbits, starting from 43 days of age and up to slaughter age, are given a liquid multivitamin feed supplement "NutriSel" in the amount of 0.5 ml per head per day in their main feed ration.

EFFECT: increased meat productivity of rabbits with improved meat quality.

1 cl, 5 tbl, 5 ex

Description

The invention relates to the field of animal husbandry, in particular to rabbit breeding, and can be used to increase meat productivity and the quality of rabbit meat.

There are known ways to increase the productivity of farm animals. One of the most popular is the use of feed additives, specifically multivitamin complexes, in the animals' diets. These additives, by influencing metabolic processes in the animals' bodies, contribute to increased meat production and improved quality of the products obtained from slaughter.

A method for using a prebiotic lactulose-containing feed additive in rabbit diets (RU 2794424 C1) is known. This method involves introducing the prebiotic lactulose-containing feed additive "Laktu-Super" into the diet of rabbits at a dose of 5 g/kg of feed from 45 days of age until slaughter. This invention increases meat production and enhances the natural resistance of the rabbits.

The disadvantage of this method is the relatively complex feeding process due to the calculation of the supplement per 1 kg of live weight.

A method for increasing rabbit productivity while simultaneously improving meat quality (RU 2826008 C1) involves supplementing the diet of rabbits from 20 to 60 days of age with a protein hydrolysate-based complex preparation at a dose of 1 ml/l of water, along with the BIO-IRON feed additive at a dose of 0.1 ml/kg of live weight daily with drinking water. The invention increases the average daily gain and survival rate of rabbits.

The disadvantages of this method are the relatively low average daily gain of rabbits due to the absence of a protein component (amino acids) in the protein hydrolysate and the BIO-IRON feed additive.

A method for improving the amino acid composition of rabbit meat while preventing oxidative stress (RU 2823288 C1 dated July 22, 2024). The method involves feeding young rabbits water containing Ferropeptide twice daily for 2-3 months. Abiopeptide is also administered orally with feed at a dose of 1 ml/kg of body weight daily from 10 days to 60 days of age. The invention increases the amino acid content of rabbit meat and prevents the development of microelementosis.

The main drawbacks of the known method are the relatively complex process of administering these preparations (via water and feed) and the duration of their use: daily feeding of water containing Ferropeptid to the young animals for 2-3 months at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg of body weight. Concurrently, Abiopeptide was administered orally with feed at a dose of 1 ml/kg of body weight daily from 10 days to 60 days of age.

Such authors as M.P. Kvartnikov, E.G. Kvartnikova (Kvartnikov, M.P. The influence of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E) on the meat productivity of young rabbits / M.P. Kvartnikov, E.G. Kvartnikova // Rabbit breeding and animal husbandry. - 2022. - No. 1. - Pp. 35-41. - DOI 10.52178/00234885_2022_1_35. - EDN CFHWAJ.), in their works note that it is customary to add fat-soluble vitamins to the diets of all herbivorous farm animals to increase productivity. The work is devoted to the study of the influence of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E on the meat productivity of young rabbits. A scientific and farm experiment revealed that none of the fat-soluble vitamins studied had any effect on rabbit growth or meat production. Based on these results, it was concluded that adding any of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E) to complete pelleted feed (CPF) in the recommended amounts did not improve meat production.

N.V. Litvinenko indicates (Litvinenko, N.V. Use of feed additive Reasil in feeding rabbits / N.V. Litvinenko // Vector of scientific thought. - 2024. - No. 3 (8). - Pp. 128-130. - DOI 10.58351 / 2949-2041.2024.8.3.009. - EDN ODRLYW.) that the use of feed additive Reasil contributed to an increase in the live weight gain of rabbits during the experimental period compared to the control by 8.5%. The author substantiated the introduction of feed additive Reasil into the diet of rabbits, since it had a positive effect on the increase in live weight and better development of meat articles of animals.

V. M. Bachinskaya, A. A. Deltsov, et al. (Bachinskaya, V. M. The Importance of Complete Protein, Mineral, and Vitamin Feeding for Rabbits / V. M. Bachinskaya, A. A. Deltsov, D. V. Gonchar // Veterinary Morphology and Pathology. - 2023. - No. 2. - Pp. 17-25. - EDN EZVPSC.) note that one of the most effective ways to increase the profitability of rabbit slaughter product production is the use of modern feed additives that allow for a significant increase in rabbit weight gain while simultaneously improving the quality of the resulting meat, as well as reducing costs associated with premature death of animals without the use of expensive and labor-intensive equipment and technological solutions. The development of a new vitamin and mineral feed additive based on protein hydrolysate, which will replenish the rabbit diet with missing nutrients, is one of the most promising areas for development.

The closest technical approach is a method for increasing productivity and resistance to bacterial and viral infections in farm animals, poultry, and fish receiving a biologically active food supplement (RU Patent No. 2651835, A61D 99/00, April 24, 2018). The preparation is added to the main diet, which is compound feed, and the biologically active supplement based on the lysate of the Micrococcus Luteus culture is administered at a dose of 0.1 ml/head once daily, every other day, for 10 days, with an interval of 20 days.

The disadvantage is the ability of the feed biologically active supplement obtained on the basis of the lysate of the Micrococcus Luteus culture to increase only local immunity, but does not allow for the full achievement of the maximum transformation of the nutrients of the compound feed into meat products.

An analysis of known similar technical solutions revealed that the technical problem in this area is the need to create methods for increasing the meat productivity of rabbits while improving their meat quality.

The technical result of the proposed invention is an increase in the meat productivity of rabbits while improving their meat quality.

To solve the stated problem and achieve the stated result, a method for increasing the meat productivity of rabbits is developed, which is characterized by the fact that rabbits, starting from the age of 43 days and up to the slaughter age, are given the liquid multivitamin feed supplement "NutriSel" in the main diet in the amount of 0.5 ml per head per day.

The multivitamin feed supplement "NutriSel" contains a complex of amino acids, vitamins, and selenium, replenishes vitamin, amino acid, and mineral deficiencies in farm animals and poultry, accelerates metabolic processes in living organisms, and increases appetite and feed digestibility.

The high content of various active substances ensures improved productivity in animals and poultry.

Information confirming the possibility of implementing the method

The method is carried out as follows.

The source material was hybrid rabbits obtained by industrial crossing of two breeds - Californian and New Zealand White.

A total of 160 43-day-old hybrid cattle were selected for the research and development experiment. To determine the optimal concentration of the multivitamin feed supplement "NutriCel," the animals were divided into four groups after weaning, using the "matched pairs" principle: a control group (without feed supplement) and three experimental groups (with different feed supplement concentrations: 0.25 ml/head/day, 0.5 ml/head/day, and 1 ml/head/day), with 40 animals in each group.

The experiment was conducted according to the following schedule: the rabbits received the feed supplement along with water through automatic drinkers for four days, with a two-week break between each. All young animals received the complete PK-93 "Otkorm" feed without restriction, in accordance with the feeding program.

To assess the meat productivity of animals, determine slaughter weight, slaughter yield and chemical composition of meat, rabbits were slaughtered at 77-78 days of age.

Example 1. The composition of the recipe for complete compound feed PK-93 "Otkorm" is as follows: wheat bran - 20%, sunflower meal - 20%, grass meal - 18%, oats - 17%, dry beet pulp - 14%, barley - 6%, soybean meal - 2%, limestone flour - 2%, LignoBind - 1%.

The nutritional value of the complete PK-93 "Otkorm" feed for young rabbits in the control group per head is presented in Table 1, which highlights deviations in some nutrients from the standard values. Therefore, to optimize the rabbits' diet, it was decided to include the liquid multivitamin feed supplement "NutriSel," containing a complex of amino acids, vitamins, and selenium.

Example 2. To determine the optimal dosage of the NutriSel feed additive, three groups of rabbits, 40 animals each, were formed and their live weight dynamics and average daily gains were monitored (Table 2). Animals in experimental group I were given NutriSel at a dose of 0.25 ml/animal/day, experimental group II at 0.5 ml/animal/day, and experimental group III at 1 ml/animal/day.

Higher live weight gains were observed in young rabbits from experimental group II during different fattening periods. It was noted that the young animals grew rapidly from day 50 to day 77. Moreover, the significant live weight gain on the 64th day was 0.11 kg (P≤0.05; 4.62%) higher than the control group, on the 71st day it was 0.13 kg (P≤0.05; 4.92%) higher, and by the 77th day it was 3.06 kg, which is 0.11 kg (3.59%) higher than the control group, respectively. Young animals from experimental group I showed low live weight dynamics compared to the control group. By the 71st day the weight was 2.41 kg, which is 0.23 kg less than the control (P≤0.001; 8.71%), at the slaughter period (77 days) - 2.78 kg, which is 0.17 kg (P≤0.05; 6.11%) less than the control, respectively. The live weight of the III experimental group at different periods of fattening was at the average level in comparison with other experimental groups. On the 50th day the weight was 1.72 kg (P≤0.01; 6.01%), on the 64th - 2.27 kg (P≤0.01; 4.62%), by the slaughter period (77 days) it was 2.90 kg, which is 0.05 kg less than the control (P≤0.05; 1.01%), respectively.

By the end of fattening (77 days, before slaughter), the absolute live weight gain indicators for rabbits in the control and experimental groups (I, II, III) were as follows: 310 g, 300 g, 330 g (P≤0.01), 325 g (P≤0.01), respectively. The young animals of the second experimental group had an advantage: 20 g (6.4%; P≤0.01), and 30 g (9.1%) and (1.5%; P≤0.01), respectively.

The average daily gain rates at the time of slaughter were: in the control group - 45.69 g; in the experimental groups I, II, III - 30.66 g (P≤0.001), 48.33 g (P≤0.01), 42.66 g (P≤0.001), respectively.

It was established that the relative growth rate was higher in the second experimental group compared to the control group and amounted to 10.03%.

The highest preservation rate was observed in the second experimental group – 100%.

The best zootechnical indicators were demonstrated by the second experimental group of rabbits, whose diet included the water-soluble feed additive “NutriSel” in the amount of 0.5 ml/head/day.

Example 3. To study the meat productivity of rabbits, two groups were formed: control (without feed additive) and experimental II (with feed additive in the amount of 0.5 ml/head/day) (Tables 3-4).

Table 3 presents body measurements (body length, chest circumference, body length) and the body condition index of hybrid young rabbits at different age periods.

By the end of the experiment (77 days), the body length of the control group rabbits increased by 4.90 cm (16.55%), and that of the experimental group by 5.25 cm (17.10%; P≤0.05). Moreover, the experimental group exceeded the control group by 1.45 cm (4.20%).

By the pre-slaughter period (71-77 days), the chest girth behind the shoulder blades of rabbits in the control group was 28.10 cm, which is 3.15 cm (12.62%) more compared to the experimental period (43-50 days). In the experimental group, over the same period, the indicator increased by 3.70 cm (1-4.86%) and amounted to 28.60 cm. Rabbits in the experimental group exceeded the indicators of the control group by 1.5 cm (1.74%).

Example 4. Rabbits were slaughtered according to the farm's standard slaughter schedule at 77 days of age. They were kept on a 12-hour fasting diet. Pre-slaughter live weight, slaughter weight, and slaughter yield were determined (Table 4).

The results of the study showed that the pre-slaughter live weight of rabbits in the experimental group differed significantly from that of the control group by 0.11 kg (3.59%; P≤0.001); the slaughter weight was higher by 0.08 kg (6.20%). The slaughter yield in the experimental group was 0.7% (1.53%) higher than that of the control group, amounting to 46.40%.

Example 5. The results of studies of the chemical composition of an average sample of hybrid rabbit meat are presented in Table 5.

A significant increase in protein content by 1.06% (P≤0.01; 5.02%) was observed compared to the control. We observed an increase in crude fat content in the experimental rabbits by 0.21%, and dry matter and ash content by 0.92% and 0.07%, respectively, compared to the control.

At the same time, the content of total nitrogen and moisture in the average meat sample of rabbits in the experimental group decreased compared to the control by 0.09% and 1.09%, respectively.

The experimental group showed an increase in the energy value of meat by 12.30 kcal (6.92%) due to the fact that the average meat sample from these animals had a higher proportion of protein and fat.

Compared to the prototype, the proposed technical solution will ensure increased meat productivity of rabbits with improved meat quality, increased energy value, and a 2.56% increase in profitability.

Claims (1)

A method for increasing the meat productivity of rabbits, characterized by the fact that rabbits, starting from the age of 43 days and up to slaughter age, are given the liquid multivitamin feed supplement "NutriSel" in the main diet in the amount of 0.5 ml per head per day.