o.m akinsola - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
b.i nwagu - National Animal Production Reseach Institute, Shika, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
m orunmyi - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
g.t Iyeghe-Erakpotobor - National Animal Production Reseach Institute, Shika, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

One hundred and forty four (144) F1 New Zealand White purebred and New Zealand White x California crossbred rabbits at eight weeks old were used to estimate bodyweight from body measurements using regression analyses. Ten biometric measurements were made on each individual animal. New Zealand White x California crossbred were superior (P<0.05) to the New Zealand White purebred for bodyweight but biometric measurements were not statistically significant (P>0.05) between the two breed types. Phenotypic correlations were found to be positive and significance (P<0.01) for both genotypes. The regression analysis was more sensitive in New Zealand White x California crossbred (R2=0.85-0.91) compared to New Zealand White purebred (R2=0.84-0.89). In conclusion, body weight could be predicted from biometric measurements for both genotypes accurately using tape measures

Biometric traits , Regression , Correlation , Body weight , New Zealand