Descriptive characterization of a nigerian heterogeneous rabbit population - factors affecting litter traits.

S.O. Oseni; B.A. Ajayi

doi:10.4995/wrs.2010.18.14

Authors

S.O. Oseni Obafemi Awolowo University
B.A. Ajayi Obafemi Awolowo University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2010.18.14

Keywords:

Nigerian rabbits, heterogeneous population, female weight, litter size, kit survival

Abstract

Thi study evaluated the effect of female body weight at conception (FWC), season of mating (SM), type of mating (TM) and litter size at birth (LSB) on the litter performance in a heterogeneous Nigerian population of rabbits. Data on 116 litters from 10 bucks and 48 does across three parities were analysed. Reproductive traits evaluated included LSB, number born alive (NBA), litter sizes and weights at 7, 14 and 21 d post-kindling, pre-weaning survival rate (SR) and daily weight gain of kits from kindling to weaning (DWG). A fi xed linear model that included FWC (light and heavy does), TM (homospermic and heterospermic matings), LSB classes (low, medium and large) and SM (rainy or dry) was used. Results showed that heavier does at concenption showed higher performance for LSB and NBA (P<0.05) than lighter does. Average weight of kits at kindling and at 28 d, as well as kit SR and DWG, were signifi cantly higher in low-sized litters, when compared with intermediate- and large-sized litters (P<0.05). LSB, NBA and litter size at weaning were higher in litters produced by heterospermically mated does compared with homospermically mated does. Season of mating affected LSB and NBA (P<0.05), being signifi cantly larger the litters in the rainy season.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

S.O. Oseni, Obafemi Awolowo University

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture

B.A. Ajayi, Obafemi Awolowo University

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture

References

Fleischhauer H., Shlolaut W., Lange K. 1986. Influence of number of teats on rearing performance of rabbits. J. Appl. Rabbit Res., 8: 174 -176.

Ghosh S.K., Das A., Bujarbaruah K.M., Das Asit, Dhiman K.R., Singh N.P. 2008. Effect of breed and season on rabbit production under subtropical climate. World Rabbit Sci., 16: 29-33.

Kpodekon M. R., Djago Y., Farougou S., Coudert P., Lebas F. 2004. Results of the technical management of four rabbit farms in Benin. In Proc.: 8th World Rabbit Congress, 7-10 September, 2004. Puebla, Mexico. 555-561.

Kpodekon T.M., Youssao A.K., Tossou C.M., Djago A.Y., Coudert P. 2008. Effects of molasses incorporation in rabbit fattening diet on growth performances. In Proc.: 9th World Rabbit Congress, 10-13 June, 2008. Verona, Italy. 711-716.

Krogmeier D., Dzapo V. 1991. Performance of New Zealand White and Gigant Silver rabbits and their reciprocal crosses. 2. Heterotic effects on growth, reproduction and variability. Arch. für Geflügelkunde, 55: 158-162.

Lebas F., Coudert P., Rochambeau, H. De, Thebault, R.G. 1997. The Rabbit: Husbandry, Health and Production. 2nd Ed. FAO Rome.

Lukefahr S.D. 1998. Review of global rabbit genetic resources: special emphasis on breeding programmes and practices in the Less Developed Countries. Anim. Gen. Res. Inf., 23: 49-67.

Lukefahr S.D. 2000. National rabbit project of Ghana: a genetic case study. In: S. Galal, J. Boyazoglu and K. Hammond (Eds.). Workshop on developing breeding strategies for lower input animal production environments Bella, Italy. ICAR Technical Series No. 3, pp.: 307-318.

Onifade A.A., Abu O.A, Obiyan R.I., Abanikannda O.T.F. 1999. Rabbit production in Nigeria: some aspects of current status and promotional strategies. World Rabbit Sci., 7: 51-58.

Poigner J., Szendro Zs, Levai A., Radnai T., Biro-Nemeth E. 2000. Effect of birth weight and litter size on growth and mortality in rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 8: 17-22.

Rashwan A.A., Marai I.F.M. 2000. Mortality in young rabbits. A review. World Rabbit Sci., 8: 111-124.

Rommers J.M., Meijerhof R., Noordhuizen J.P.T.M., Kemp B. 2002. Relationships between body weight at first insemination and subsequent body development, feed intake and reproductive performance of rabbit does. J. Anim. Sci., 80: 2036-2042.

Rommers J.M. 2004. Breeding of young female does. In Proc.: 8th World Rabbit Congress, 7-10 September, 2004. Puebla, Mexico. 1518-1531.

SAS. 2004. SAS/STAT User’s Guide (Release 8.03). SAS Inst. Inc., Cary NC, USA.

Somade B. 1985. Influence of two environments on the reproductive performance of New Zealand White rabbits. J. Anim. Prod. Res., 2: 113-122.

Tawfeek M.I. 1995. Performance of doe rabbits and their young as affected by remating interval, litter size at birth and month of kindling in New Zealand White and Bauscat pure breeds under Egyptian conditions. Egyptian J. Rabbit Sci., 5: 101-115.

Yassein S.A., Mahmoud K.Gh. M., Maghraby N., Ezzo O.H. 2008. Hot climate effects and their amelioration on some productive and reproductive traits in rabbit does. World Rabbit Sci., 16: 173-181.

Zerrouki N., Kadi S.A., Lebas F., Bolet G. 2007. Characterisation of a kabylian population of rabbits in Algeria: birth to weaning growth performance. World Rabbit Sci., 15: 111-114.