Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LX
Written by Husmy YURMIARTI, Tri Anggarini Yuniwati FOENAY, Kusmajadi SURADI
New Zealand White crossbreed rabbit is a producer of meat and white pelt. Housing capacity and rabbitry area can affect production performance due to limited space allowance. The rate of growth of the male rabbit body weight tends to be faster than females, but is more easily experiencing stress due to its natural aggressivity, especially when kept in a cage with limited space that will ultimately have an effect on the quantity of pelt. The research aim was to study the influence of the density of cage and sex toward pelt quantity of New Zealand White Crossbred rabbit. The research used randomized complete block design with a 3x2 factorial pattern and four groups of rabbit at weaning weight as replicates. The first factor was stocking density (K1:1 rabbit/0,2 m2, K2: 2 rabbits/0,2 m2, K3: 3 rabbits/0,2 m2), and the second factor was sex (S1: male, S2: female). A total of 48 crossbreed rabbits of New Zealand White aged 42 days were used in this research, consisted of 24 males and 24 females. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance followed by Duncan's multiple range test. Variables observed were quantity of pelt: pelt weight, pelt thickness, and pelt area. The results showed that there was no interaction between stocking density and sex in all parameters observed. Stocking density had an effect on pelt area, but not on pelt weight and thickness. Meanwhile, sex has an effect on pelt weight, but not on pelt thickness and pelt area. The conclusion is that the male rabbit pelt is better compared with females whilst density of 1 heads/0.2 m2 is better than 3 heads/0.2 m2 and 2 head/0.2.
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