Factors influencing litter traits and body weight upto 12 weeks among temperate rabbit breeds in humid tropics

Abstract

High prolificacy and fast growth rate make rabbit an ideal meat animal for the developing countries. Present investigation was aimed at analysing the prolificacy and growth rate among temperate breeds of rabbits namely, New Zealand White, Grey Giant and Soviet Chinchilla, under humid tropics of Kerala, India. The effects of breed and sire on litter traits and the effects of breed, sire and sex on body weight traits were analysed. Data from 172 kindlings showed an average litter size at birth of 4.38 and litter weight at birth of 228 g. Breed effects were significant (P<0.05) on litter size and litter weight al weaning. The highest litter size at weaning was obtained in Grey Giant (1 .96), followed by New Zealand White (1.87) and the lowest in Soviet Chinchilla (1.18). The litter weights al weaning were 1084, 1074 and 708 g for Grey Giant, New Zealand White and Soviet Chinchilla, respectively. Pre-weaning mortality was found to be modulaled by breed to a significant level (P s 0.05) with New Zealand White having the lowest pre-weaning mortality. Body weights al six weeks and twelve weeks averaged 612 g and 1168 g, respectively. Body weight al 12 weeks of age was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by sire. The effects of breed and sex on body weight traits was found to be non-significant.