EFFECT OF CARAWAY SEEDS SIEVING (Carum carvi L.) IN FEED REX RABBITS ON: 2. PRODUCTIVE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS

Thirty-six of unsexed Rex rabbits breed aged 5-6 weeks and average weight 687.25±2.75g were randomly assigned into four groups, (9 rabbits in each) in 3 replicates. The aim of this study to investigate the impact of inclusion caraway seeds sieving (CSS) in rabbit diets on their productive and carcass characteristics. The experimental group rabbits were classified as the following: first group was fed basal diet that contained zero level caraway seeds sieving (CSS) and served as control group (R₁), second group was fed diet contained 2% CSS, third group was fed diet contained 4% CSS and fourth group was fed diet contained 6% CSS. The results cleared that the experimental diets were isonitrogenous but differed in energy content. Crude protein ranged from 20.35% to 20.88%, while the values of gross energy (GE) ranged from 4190 to 4308 kcal/ kg DM; meanwhile digestible energy (DE) contents varied from 2090 to 2367 kcal/ kg DM. Animals were slaughtered after 56 days of feeding. Inclusion of CSS significantly increased (P<0.05) dressing percentages, meanwhile, it had not significantly (P>0.05) affected on content of digestive tract presented as (full, empty and content). Incorporated CSS in the experimental diets significant increase carcass weight (CW1) by (30.31%, 50.62% and 32.66%); carcass weight (CW2) by (29.06%, 49.41% and 31.79%) and carcass weight (CW3) by (25.46%, 21.20% and 6.97%,) for (R₂, R₃ and R₄), respectively comparing with the control (R₁). The best results of carcass were recorded with rabbits fed R₃ that contained 4% CSS. The best result of dressing percentages was observed with rabbits received (R₃). Total external offal's weight was affected by dietary diets by 16.50%,31.37 % and 25.39%, for groups R₂, R₃ and R₄, respectively in comparison with the control group. Internal offal's (giblets) weights includes (liver, heart, kidneys, testes, spleen and lungs) and total giblet weight was not affected by incorporated CSS in rabbit diets. Carcass cuts weight includes (fore, middle and hind parts) were improved with rabbits fed R₃. Also, physical and chemical analysis of ribs (9, 10 and 11^th) was significantly affected. From the results obtained it can be mentioned that incorporation caraway seeds sieving (CSS) in rabbit diets up to 4% could improve their dressing percentages and carcass characteristics without occurred any adverse effect on the other carcass parameters.