Effect of cage and pen housing on the live performance, carcase, and meat quality traits of growing rabbits

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of housing growing rabbits in enriched cages with small groups (eight rabbits/cage, C; n = 96; stocking density: 15 rabbits/m 2 ) or in enriched pens with large groups (65 rabbits/pen, P; n = 130; stocking density: 15 rabbits/m 2 ) on their growth performance and on slaughter and meat quality traits. The C rabbits showed higher final body weight (2540 vs. 2443 g, p