ESTIMATING SELECTION RESPONSE OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE FROM DIVERGENT CROSSING OF RABBITS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the selection response of weight gain in divergent crossings of rabbits, aiming to improve growth performance in rabbit breeding programs. Thirty-six records of Dutch and Angora rabbits selected from five breeds were used in the experiment. The rabbits were fed a commercial pelleted diet and green forage ad libitum and bred using family selection. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized design, and data were analyzed using GENSTAT statistical software. The results showed significant differences in mean weight gain between the two crossbred populations, with Hyla x Dutch rabbits exhibiting higher weight gain at all weeks. The selection differential values were positive for Hyla x Dutch rabbits, indicating an improvement in growth performance, while Chinchilla x Angora rabbits had negative selection differential values, indicating a decline in growth performance. The selection response values indicated a positive response to selection in the Hyla x Dutch group, with a relative change in the population mean of 0.5% at Week 4, 0.6% at Week 8, and 0.7% at Week 12. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of divergent crossing in improving growth performance in rabbits, with the Hyla x Dutch crossbred population showing a remarkable improvement in weight gain compared to their purebred counterparts. The findings suggest that family selection can be an effective approach for improving traits, but the selection response can vary depending on the specific group and selection criteria. The results provide valuable insights for breeding programs and highlight the importance of considering selection methods, genetic background, and breed characteristics when designing crossbreeding programs.