REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT BREEDS OF RABBITS

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to examine the reproductive performance of different breeds of rabbits. The experiment was carried out at the rabbitry section of the University of Benin Farm Project, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of twenty rabbits (fifteen females and five males), of which five belong to one breed, were used for this experiment. The breeds used were New Zealand White, Chinchilla, Hyla and Dutch. The data collected includes Does weight at mating, litter size at birth and at weaning, litter weight at birth and at weaning, gestation length and Kindling interval. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using GENSTSAT 12th edition and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results obtained revealed that Breed has a significant effect (p<0.05) on Body weight at mating for the Doe and also a significant effect (p<0.o5) on kindling interval. While a non significant effect (p>0.05) is recorded for litter traits, gestation length and percentage mortality among the various breeds.