Abstract
After weaning rabbits, two post-weaning feed restriction (FR) programs are used: a quantitative FR (quantity of feed-limited or time-limited access to feed) or a qualitative FR (modification of diet composition in particularly protein, energy or fibre). Application of post-weaning FR has potential to control post-weaning digestive disorders, and early lower growth rates may be compensated for by later compensatory growth. FR strategies also have potential to enhance feed conversion ratio and reduce carcass fatness. FR may also influence meat chemical composition and physical quality characteristics via controlling the morphological and biochemical properties of muscle fibres. The purpose of this review was to shed light on recent findings regarding benefits of FR on productive performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality characteristics, and muscle fibre properties in growing rabbits.