This study aims to evaluate the effects of feed incorporation of Tunisian local carob pods, on meat quality. A growth performance assay was carried out in summer (July-August), on a total of one hundred twenty weaned four weeks of age New Zealand rabbits and weighing 607 ± 13 g. Animals were housed in 60 cages (2 rabbits/cage). Two iso-proteic and iso-energetic diets ("Control": without carob and "Carob": 20% carob) were formulated and each diet was allotted to a group of sixty rabbits (thirty cages x two rabbits). Growth performance was registered and fifteen male rabbits per diet of 11 weeks of age; were slaughtered and processed, to analyze the effects of diets on carcass traits. Growth performance data did not reveal any difference between group (p>0.05) and viability was significantly improved with carob (p<0.01), besides the high registered temperatures. Carcass traits showed similar carcass yields and higher proportions of the liver and the empty stomach and colon. In addition carob improved protein content and reduced fat in BF meat. In conclusion, carob pods can be incorporated in growing rabbit's diets at 20% without any negative incidence on carcass traits. It may also improve the viability of rabbits reared in hot climate.
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