Desempenho, características de carcaça e viabilidade econômica de coelhos sexados abatidos em diferentes idades

Abstract

Performance, carcass characteristics and economic viability of sexed rabbits slaughtered at different ages were evaluated. One-hundred rabbits (50 males and 50 females) were assigned to a completely randomized block design in a factorial arrangement of 2 x 2 (two sexes and two slaughter ages), with four treatments and five replicates. The rabbits weaned at 35 were slaughtered at 75 and 90 days of age. No effect of sex (P>0.05) on the evaluated parameters was observed. Animals slaughtered at 90 days were heavier(P<0.001), had a higher daily feed intake and a higher carcass weight than animals slaughtered at 75 days which showed higher daily weight gain and better feed: gain ratio. Rabbits slaughtered at 90 days of age had higher carcass weight (P<0.04), thigh (P<0.005), internal fat (P<0.001) and liver (P<0.01). They also showed better carcass characteristics. High rentability was obtained alternatively for animals sold alive at 25 days of age or slaughtered at 90 days of age.