Development of prediction equations to estimate carcass tissue composition in growing New Zealand White rabbits by shoulder and neck dissection

The objective of this study was to determine the tissue composition of the carcass of growing New Zealand White rabbits based on the shoulder and neck traits (weight, meat and bone weights). Live weight and characteristics of dissected meat and bone tissues (neck, breast, rib, loin, shoulder, and leg) of 80 rabbits were recorded. Total carcass tissue weights (carcass fat weight, carcass meat weight - CMW, and carcass bone weight - CBW) were calculated and correlation and regression analyses were implemented. Shoulder, neck, shoulder meat, bone and neck meat were correlated (P < 0.0001 and < 0.001) with CMW and CBW. In conclusion, cut weights and tissue content of the shoulder and neck provided good predictions for total meat and bone weights of growing New Zealand White rabbits.