A feeding trial was conducted with 36 mixed breed weanling rabbits consisting of 18 males and 18 females to evaluate the effect of dried sweet orange fruit (Citrus sinensis) pulp meal (SOPM) on carcass characteristics and organ weight. The experimental animals were randomly assigned to diets in which SOPM replaced dietary maize at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% (w/w). There were six rabbits per dietary group with three males and three females fed diets in mash form ad libitum for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12th week, four rabbits (2 males and 2 females) per treatment whose weights were closest to the mean of the group were selected per treatment and starved for 18 hours to clear the guts. Live weights were recorded before stunning and sacrificing. Experimental diets had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the live weight, and singed weight, loin weight and hind limb weight expressed as % live weight of rabbit but did not significantly (p>0.05) affect bled weight, dressing percentage, percent weights of forelimb, rack/rib, visceral fat, abdominal fat, back fat and carcass length. Dietary treatments effect on the visceral organs (liver, kidney, lung, heart, pancreas, spleen and gall bladder) was not significant (p>0.05). Apart from oesophagus, tested diets had statistically similar (p>0.05) effects on gastro-intestinal tract weight, and the weights of its parts. Up to 25% maize replacement with SOPM did not affect the dressing percentage of rabbit carcass as well as the visceral organs which is an indication that SOPM may be a useful feed resource for rabbit feeding.

Key words 
Sweet orange pulp, rabbit, carcass characteristics, visceral organs  

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