Comparative Study of the Fecundity and Growth Rate of Three Breeds of Rabbit-(New-Zealand White, Chinchilla and California)

¹OKIYI, P.C., ²IHUKWUMERE F.C. AND ³KANU, C.N.

^1,2&3National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

E-mail:okiyipatrickc@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The growth and reproductive performance of three breeds of rabbits: New-Zealand white, Chinchilla and California were compared at the peak of dry season, using 15 does and 3 bucks, 1 – 3 years old with live weight ranging from 1.5 – 2.5kg. Balanced compounded growers concentrate, chicken pelleted diet, forage and water were available ad libitum. Characteristics considered in the study for comparison were conception rate, gestation length, number kindled alive, number of still birth, litter birth weight, weight at 8 and 12 weeks, weight of Doe between kindling and weaning. Results show that there were differences in number of kids kindled alive, litter birth weight and weight of Doe between kindling and  weaning (P<0.05), but there were no differences in the other characteristics. The New-Zealand white delivered more kids alive than either of the two breeds. The change in doe weight at kindling and weaning also shows that New-Zealand white was heaviest than either of the two breeds (P<0.05). Chinchilla delivered heaviest kids among the breeds tested (P<0.05).