Feed restriction after weaning is a common strategy used in commercial rabbit farms to improve feed efficiency, promote health, and reduce mortality. However, few studies have investigated the feed restrictions of Minxinan black rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, the effects of feed restriction on growth and slaughter performance, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemical indices of Minxinan black rabbits were evaluated in this study. Rabbits in group A (control group) had ad libitum intake, while those in feed restriction groups (groups B, C, and D) were restricted to 80% of the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of group A the day before. The rabbits in group B were fed once per day at 8:00 am. Rabbits in groups C and D were fed twice per day at 8:00 am (50%) and 4:00 pm (50%) and 8:00 am (30%) and 4:00 pm (70%), respectively. The experimental period lasted for 8 weeks. Compared to that in group A, the diarrhea rate of group C was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the ADFI, feed conversion ratio, abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat rate, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein, and intestinal crypt depth of all feed restriction groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio in group D was significantly better than that in groups B and C (P < 0.05). The efficiency index (EI) of groups C and D was higher than that of groups A and B (P < 0.01). Triglyceride levels in groups C and D were significantly lower than those in group A. The villus length to crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum in group D was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the following parameters can be improved by feed restriction: feed conversion ratio, diarrhea rate, abdominal fat rate, serum ALT, lipid indices and intestinal health of Minxinan black rabbits, and the EI of the farm. Feeding twice per day, 30% at 8:00 am and 70% at 4:00 pm, had the best comprehensive effects.

Feed restriction after weaning is a common strategy in commercial rabbit farms to improve feed efficiency, promote health and to reduce mortality. However, no study has been published on Minxinan black rabbits. The effects of feed restriction on growth and slaughter performance, intestinal morphology and serum biochemical indexes of Minxinan black rabbits were evaluated in this study. Rabbits in group A (control group) ad libitum intake, the others in feed restriction groups (groups B, C and D) were restricted by 80% of the average daily feed intake of group A the day before. The experimental period lasted 8 weeks. The results indicated that, compared with group A, diarrhea rate of feed restriction groups C was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed/gain (F/G), abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat rate, the contents of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and intestinal crypt depth of feed restriction groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). F/G of group D was significantly lower than that of groups B and C (P < 0.05). Efficiency index (EEI) of groups C and D were higher than of groups A and B (P < 0.01). Triglyceride (TG) of groups C and D were significantly lower than group A (P < 0.01). The V/C of duodenum and jejunum of group D was significantly higher than that of group A (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the F/G, diarrhea rate, abdominal fat rate, serum ALT and lipid indexes of Minxinan black rabbits can be reduced, EI and intestinal health can be improved by feed restriction. Feeding twice a day, 30% at 8:00am and 70% at 4:00pm has the best comprehensive effects.