Reproductive and growth performances of four rabbit genotypes

Abstract

The insemination rate, probability of culling of does after the insemination, weight of does and weight of young, litter size, as well as litter weight were measured in groups of rabbits with different genotype. Four groups were formed: 30 multiparous does of SIKA maternal line (line A) were inseminated with males from the same line (A×A group), 23 multiparous does of SIKA sire line (line C) were inseminated with the males from the same line (C×C group), 30 multiparous does of line A were inseminated with the males from line C (A×C group) and 30 multiparous does of line A were inseminated with the males from Californian breed (A×Cal group). The young were individually weighed once a week from birth to weaning (at the age of 35 days). Considering insemination rate, probability of culling and litter size from birth to weaning there were no heterosis effect found. There were no differences between groups A×C and A×Cal in the majority of studied traits as well, except for the number of stillborn which was in group A×C significantly higher than in A×A and A×Cal group. Live weight of young in group A×C was significantly higher than of group A×A at each weighting from birth to weaning, and higher than of group C×C at each weighting from birth to 21st day of age. Live weight of young in A×C group was significantly higher than live weight of young in A×Cal at each weighting.

Keywords

• rabbits
• genotypes
• reproduction
• reproductive performances
• growth
• selection