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Reproductive performance in purebred and crossbred commercial rabbits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

G. G. Partridge ,
S. Foley  and
W. Corrigall
G. G. Partridge
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
S. Foley
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
W. Corrigall
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
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Abstract

The reproductive performance of does of New Zealand White (N) and Californian (C) strains of rabbit was compared with that of the two reciprocal crosses, C × N and N × C (sire × dam). Both types of crossbred doe showed a reproductive performance superior to the purebred strains, having both a higher conception rate and mean litter size at birth. C × N, N × C, N and C does reared on average 6·6, 7·4, 5·0 and 4·9 pups to weaning age respectively. Expressed in terms of an estimated annual production of weanlings the N × C does produced nearly twice as many progeny to 4 weeks of age as the purebreds N and C (37 pups cf. 21 and 19 pups respectively). Total losses prior to weaning were approximately 25% in all breeds, largely from stillbirths, and subsequent chilling and/or starvation in the nest (36% and 38% of diagnosed deaths respectively). Other contributory factors are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 32 , Issue 3 , June 1981 , pp. 325 - 331
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

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References

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