Productive Performance, Kidney Function, Hematological Parameters, Carcass Traits, and Feed Cost as Affected by Fasting Regime of Egyptian Baladi Rabbits During Hot Conditions

Fayed, Ayat K.; Othman, Doaa O.; Abdel-Aal, Mahmoud

doi:10.21608/fjard.2025.377487.1118

Productive Performance, Kidney Function, Hematological Parameters, Carcass Traits, and Feed Cost as Affected by Fasting Regime of Egyptian Baladi Rabbits During Hot Conditions

Document Type : Research articles.

Authors

¹ Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt

² Central Laboratory for Agriculture Climate (CLAC), Agriculture Research Center El Dokki, Giza 12411, Egypt

10.21608/fjard.2025.377487.1118

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of the fasting regimes on kidney function, hematological parameters, productive performance, carcass traits, and feed cost of Egyptian Baladi rabbits during hot conditions. Forty rabbits (49 days, 810±15 g) were randomly distributed into four equal groups (N=10). NF non-fasting rabbits serve as the control; intermittent fasting (IF) is fasting one day/week for six weeks; the third group, prolonged fasting (PF), was fasted a separate two days/week for six weeks, while the fourth group, mixed fasting (MF), was fasted one day/week for three weeks only, then fasted a separate two days/week for another three weeks. Initial body weight, weekly body weights, feed intake, and mortality rate were recorded, with blood samples collected post-slaughter. Our results revealed no significant differences between fasting regimes and weekly body weights. The highest value of final body weight was observed with PF, followed by MF, and the lowest weight was recorded with NF. However, the fasting regimes significantly reduced body weight gain initially, with PF showing the lowest gain. Total feed intake decreased notably in all fasting groups, especially in MF. Kidney function improved in fasting rabbits, with significantly lower urea levels in IF and MF groups (p < 0.05). Carcass weight and dressing percentage did not differ across groups, though PF and MF rabbits had the highest dressing percentages. The study concluded that fasting regimes did not adversely affect productive performance and instead reduced feed costs while enhancing kidney function. These findings suggest that intermittent or mixed fasting could be a viable strategy for improving rabbit health and economic efficiency in hot climates without compromising carcass quality.

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