Effect of Rearing System and Season on Herbage Intake, Performance and Meat Nutritional Quality of Growing Rabbits

Consumer demand for sustainable and animal-friendly systems has driven interest in alternative livestock management; however, its impact on productive performance and meat quality requires further validation. This study monitored outdoor-reared rabbits during the spring and autumn seasons over a 48 d experimental period, comparing this alternative system to cage-reared rabbits slaughtered at a fixed age (80 d). Forage and energy intakes were evaluated alongside a post-slaughter analysis of muscle lipid content, fatty acid profiles, and tocopherol deposition. Meat oxidative stability was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Data were analyzed using mixed linear models and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results demonstrate that pasture-based rabbit systems offer a suitable alternative to conventional cages. Although pasture access significantly reduced growth performance, with average daily gain dropping by up to 7.24 g/day and digestible energy intake decreasing by approximately 6.20 MJ in autumn-reared rabbits, it enhanced meat quality by yielding leaner muscle profiles and higher levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Furthermore, although pasture-based systems are widely reported to increase physical activity—potentially elevating metabolic rate and oxidative load—the concurrent intake of natural antioxidants from fresh forage effectively maintained high oxidative stability in meat. Ultimately, these findings validate pasture-based systems as a viable approach to delivering high-quality meat within sustainable, welfare-friendly production frameworks.