Effect of Litter Size on Birth Weight and Growth Performance of Non Descript Rabbits Reared In Lafia, Nasarawa State
Keywords:
Phenotypic correlation, litter size, growth, body linear measurements
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the effect of litter size on growth performance of nondescript
rabbits. Twelve (12) matured rabbits comprising of two (2) buck and ten (10) does were
used. Mating ratio of 1 buck to 5 does was adopted. After successful kindling, the litters were
subdivided base on number of kid per dam. Data collected include birth weight, weekly body
weight, weekly body weight gain and growth rate. The data were subjected to one way analysis
of variance in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and correlation procedure of SPSS
version 21. The results obtained from this study indicated that litter size had significant (P≤0.05)
effect on birth weight, weekly body weight, weekly body weight gain and growth rate. Body weight
and body weight gain increased with advancing age while growth rate decreased. Phenotypic
correlations between body weight and body linear measurements were generally high, positive
and significant except between tail length and body length as well as tail length and hind leg
length. From the findings of this research, it was observed that the lower the number of litter
sizes per dam, the better the growth performance of rabbits. In addition, strong relationship
between foreleg leg length and body weight at various ages as well as relationship between
foreleg length and ear length suggests that it is the best criteria for selection of non-descript
rabbits.
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References
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Khalil, M. H. and Khalil, H. H., (1991). Genetic and phenotypic parameters for weaning and preweaning body weights and gain in Bouscat and Giza White rabbits. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research 14:44-51.
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Rashwan, A. A., Ahmed, S. S. and Tawfeek, M. I. (1995). Doe reproduction and preweaning and postweaning litter performance of straightbred and crossbred rabbits. Journal Agriculture Science, 20: 2839 - 2851.
Saleh, K., Nofal, R., Younis, H. and Abou Khadiga, G. (2005). Evaluation of line V, Baladi Black rabbits and their crosses under Egyptian conditions. 2. Litter weight and mean kit weight. In: Proceeding 4th International Conference Rabbit Production Hot Climates, 24-27 Feb., Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. 31 - 37.
Seleem, T. S. T. (2005). Some reproductive; productive and physiological aspects of purebred and crossbred Flander and New Zealand White rabbits under Egyptian environmental conditions. In: Proceeding 4th International Conference Rabbit Production Hot Climates, 24 - 27 Febr., Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. 161 - 168.
SPSS (2011). Statistical Packages for Social Sciences, version 21. IBM Corporation, SPSS Inc., Chicago IL.
Wikipedia, (2013). Obtainable at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/makurdi
Zerrouki, N., Bolet, G., Berchiche, M. and Lebas, F. (2005). Evaluation of breeding performance of a local Algeria rabbit population raised in the TiziOuzou area (Kabylia). World Rabbit Science, 13: 29 – 37.
Afifi, E. A., Yamani, K. A., Marai, F. M. and El-Maghawry, A. M. (1992). Environmental and genetic aspects of litter traits in New Zealand White and Californian rabbits under the Egyptian conditions. Journal of Applied. Rabbit Research, 15:335- 351.
Akanno, E. C. and Ibe SN (2006). Prediction of body weight of the domestic rabbits at different stages of growth using linear body measurements. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 33(1): 3-8.
Akpan, U. O. (1988). Studies on the growth and reproduction in New Zealand White breed and Dutch breeding rabbits. M.Sc, Animal Science Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Argente, M. J., Santacreu, M. A., Climent, A. and Blasco, A. (2003). Relationships between uterine and fetal traits in rabbits selected on uterine capacity. Journal Animal Science 81: 1265 – 1273.
Bedier, N. Z., Afifi, E. A. and Gad, S. M. (1999). Genetic study of litter and doe reproductive traits in Gabali, Californian rabbits and their crosses under semiarid conditions of Egypt. Minufiya Journal Agriculture Research, Egypt, 24:1654 - 1666.
Brun, J. M., and Ouhayoun, J. (1989), “Qualités bouchères de lapereaux issus d’un croisement diallèle de 3 souches: interaction du type génétique et de la taille de portée d’origine”. Ann. Zootec., 43:173-183.
Carregal, R. D. (1980). Evaluacion de la heterosis, de la capacida de combinacion y de los effectos maternos reciprocos en conejos. In: Proceeding 2nd World Rabbit Congress, Barcelona, Spain. 213 – 222.
Darwish, A. A., Khalifa, M. A., Abd El-Azim, A. M. and El-Kamash, E. M. A. (1995). Some physiological reactions of New Zealand White under subtropical conditions. In: Proceeding 7th Annual Congress (Under Patronage of the Egyptian Society Animal Reproduction Fertility), 21-23 Jan., 1995, Cairo, Egypt. 123 – 141.
De Paula, M. G., Pontes, J. R., Ferraz, J. B. S. and Eler, J. P. (1996). Breed and some non genetic effects on growth of Californian and New Zealand White rabbits raised in south-eastern Brazil. In: Proceeding of the 6th World Rabbit Congress, 9 - 12 July, Toulouse, France, 2: 269 - 272.
El-Bayomi, K. H. M., El-Tarabany, M. S. and Abdel-Hamid, T. M. (2012), “Estimation of Heterosis and Combining Ability for Some Weaning and Post-Weaning Traits in three different breeds of rabbits. Journal of American Science, 8(9):282-288.
El-Maghawry, A. M., Ahmed, S. S., Yamani, K. A. and Radwan, H. (1999). Some reproductive and productive traits of New Zealand White, Rex Rabbits and their crosses. Egyptian Journal Rabbit Science 9:159 - 177.
Fielding, D., Smith, A. J. and Coste, R. (1991). Rabbits. The Tropical Agriculturalist (CTA) Macmillan
Khader, A. F., Abou-Steit, T. and Tharwat, E. E. (2001). Characterization Sinai Gabali rabbit does using New Zealand White rabbit as a reference breed. Minufiya Journal Agriculture Research Egypt, 26:1211 - 1219.
Khalil, M. H. and Khalil, H. H., (1991). Genetic and phenotypic parameters for weaning and preweaning body weights and gain in Bouscat and Giza White rabbits. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research 14:44-51.
Lebas, F., Coudert, P., Rouvier, R. and Rochambeau, H. (1986). The Rabbit Husbandry, Health and Production. FAO, United Nations Publications divisions, Termedi, Caracilla, 00100, Rome, Italy.
Okoro, V. M. O., Ogundu, U. E., Okoli, I. C., Anyanwu, G. A., Chikaire, J., Raji, A. O. and Maduka, C. G. (2012). Estimation of Heritability and Repeatability for Pre-Weaning and Post Weaning Litter Weights of Unselected Domestic Rabbits in SouthEastern Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 2(1): 710.
Rashwan, A. A., Ahmed, S. S. and Tawfeek, M. I. (1995). Doe reproduction and preweaning and postweaning litter performance of straightbred and crossbred rabbits. Journal Agriculture Science, 20: 2839 - 2851.
Saleh, K., Nofal, R., Younis, H. and Abou Khadiga, G. (2005). Evaluation of line V, Baladi Black rabbits and their crosses under Egyptian conditions. 2. Litter weight and mean kit weight. In: Proceeding 4th International Conference Rabbit Production Hot Climates, 24-27 Feb., Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. 31 - 37.
Seleem, T. S. T. (2005). Some reproductive; productive and physiological aspects of purebred and crossbred Flander and New Zealand White rabbits under Egyptian environmental conditions. In: Proceeding 4th International Conference Rabbit Production Hot Climates, 24 - 27 Febr., Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. 161 - 168.
SPSS (2011). Statistical Packages for Social Sciences, version 21. IBM Corporation, SPSS Inc., Chicago IL.
Wikipedia, (2013). Obtainable at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/makurdi
Zerrouki, N., Bolet, G., Berchiche, M. and Lebas, F. (2005). Evaluation of breeding performance of a local Algeria rabbit population raised in the TiziOuzou area (Kabylia). World Rabbit Science, 13: 29 – 37.
Published
2020-03-23
How to Cite
Gambo, D., Ismail, B., Mundi, I., Abdullahi, J., & Yahaya, A. (2020). Effect of Litter Size on Birth Weight and Growth Performance of Non Descript Rabbits Reared In Lafia, Nasarawa State. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science and Technology (NJAST), 3(1), 17 - 24. Retrieved from http://www.njast.com.ng/index.php/home/article/view/56
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