The aim of the experiment was to study the influence of feeding medicated or non-medicated diets
followed by a feed restriction after weaning on the productive and carcass traits of growing rabbits.
Half of the rabbits was fed non-medicated (NOMED: 10.65 DE/kg, CP: 16.9%, CF: 17.3%; n=106)
while the other half was fed medicated diet (MED: the same diet was supplemented with 500 mg/kg
Oxitetraciclyn and 50 mg/kg Tiamuline; n=108) between 4 and 9 weeks of age, then they consumed
non-medicated diet. Within both diet groups half of the rabbits was fed ad libitum (ADLIB) while the
other half restricted (RESTR). In the latter group rabbits were allowed to consume for 9, 10, 12 or 14
hours between 4-5, 6-7, 7-8 or 8-9 weeks of age, respectively, then they were fed ad libitum. The feed
intake was 26.7, 18.3 (P<0.001) and 5.3% (P=0.059) lower in the RESTR group at the ages of 4-5, 5-6
and 6-7 weeks, respectively. After 7 weeks of age no difference was found between groups. Body
weight gain of RESTR rabbits was 20.9 (P<0.001) and 8.5% (P=0.039) lower at the ages of 4-5 and 5-
6 weeks, respectively, while between 6 and 8 weeks of age it slightly increased. Body weight of
RESTR rabbits was 9.2% lower at 5 weeks of age compared to ADLIB group (871 vs. 959 g) but this
was partly compensated at the end of the experiment (2737 vs. 2799 g, P=0.056). Feed conversion of
RESTR group was better compared to ADLIB rabbits: 2.57 vs. 2.64 (P=0.01). No significant
difference was found in the mortality (1 vs. 3.6%). Dressing out percentage (59.4 vs. 58.6%, P<0.001)
and the proportions of hind part (19.2 vs. 18.8%), hind legs (18.3 vs. 18.0%) and that of the m.
Longissimus dorsi (7.1 vs. 6.8%) to the body weight were higher in ADLIB rabbits. No difference was
found in the proportion of perirenal fat. Production and mortality of MED and NOMED groups were
similar however, the feed intake and the body weight gain of MED rabbits decreased during the
transition from MED to NOMED diet at 9 weeks of age. Significantly higher dressing out percentage
(59.5 vs. 58.5%, P<0.001) and proportion of fore and hind parts of carcass as well as that of the hind
legs and m. Longissimus dorsi to the body weight were found in MED rabbits