Factors influencing litter traits and body weight at pre-weaning ages among temperate rabbit breeds in the tropical conditions of Nigeria

The present investigation was aimed at preliminary investigation of growth rate and prolificacy among temperate rabbit breeds namely, New Zealand White and California rabbits, in Kaduna State. Breed effect on litter traits and body weight were analyzed using the general linear model procedure of statistical analysis software (SAS, 9.0). Data from 397 kindling’s at different preweaning ages (birth, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days) showed that crossbred rabbits were heavier than the purebred for kit weight but purebred had higher values than the crossbred for litter traits. Breed and sire effects were significant (p<0.01) for both growth and litter traits The results of the present study confirmed the potential of temperate rabbit breed in significantly enhancing the litter and body weight of the progeny, which can be potentially exploited for the development of meat rabbit suited to Kaduna State.

Keywords:

New Zealand White , , California , Hyla , Kit weight and Sire ,