BODY WEIGHT AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF FOUR GENOTYPES OF RABBITS RAISED IN HUMID TROPICS

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of genotype on reproductive performance of two breeds of rabbit and their reciprocal crosses as well as body weight performance of their first filial generation. A total of 126 kittens were generated from cross of Newzealand white (NZWXNZW), Chinchilla (CHXCH) and their reciprocal crosses Newzealand male and Chinchilla female (NZWXCH) and Chinchilla male and Newzealand female (CHXNZW). The parameter measured were Gestation length (GL), Litter size at birth (LSB), Litter size at weaning (LSW), Birth weight (ABWT), Body weight at weaning (AWWT) and weekly body weight. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and significance means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. The results indicated that genotype significantly (p<0.05) influenced weekly body weight during the preweaning stages. The NZWXCH had significantly higher body weight than the other three genotypes. It was also observed that NZWXCH had significantly (p<0.05) better LSW (4.95±0.03), ABWT (37.00±0.03), GL (28.33±0.67), AWWT (594.55 ±12.18), and percentage mortality (5.71±8.69) than other genotypes. It was concluded that NZW X CH be used for breeding purposes to increase rabbit production, as this genotype indicated better suitability in the tropics, thus increasing and improving protein intake in the study area.