Abstract
The present study was conducted to estimate crossbreeding parameters for growth traits of growing rabbits in a complete 3 × 3 diallel crossing experiment involving three breeds namely New Zealand White (NN), Californian (CC) and Rex (RR). Highly significant differences (p≤0.001) were observed among different genotypes for almost traits studied with the exception of relative growth rates (RGR) at 4-12 weeks of age. Direct genetic effects of NN were found as positive for most of studied traits. Positive total maternal genetic effect was estimated for kits of NN dose for weight at weaning (57 g) and 12 weeks of age (92 g). Strong individual heterosis was estimated for NN × CC crossbreds for all body weight (BW) and most of body weight gains (BWG). In conclusion, direct additive genetic effects were infavor NN for growth traits and maternal genetic effects were infavor NN for weaning and final weights and higher individual heterosis has been estimated for NN × CC crossbred rabbits for growth traits.
Highlights
The advantages of rabbits as microlivestock include small body size, short generation interval, ability to utilize less competitive feeds, rapid growth, potentials for genetic improvement and production of high quality meat and useful by-products (Egbo et al, 2001; Herbert, 2011)
Mating type: Mean and standard error of body weight (BW), body weight gains (BWG) and relative growth rates (RGR) of different mating types of rabbits after crossing of New Zealand White (NN), CC and RR were presented in Table 2, 3, & 4
CC × NN crossbred rabbits showed superiority for BW at weaning (664±21.76 g), 12-week of age (2310±40.53 g), and BWG from 4-12 weeks of age (1610±33.25 g) as compared to other crossbreds; purebred RR rabbit were the superior genotype for this trait (1734±39.04 g)
Summary
The advantages of rabbits as microlivestock include small body size, short generation interval, ability to utilize less competitive feeds, rapid growth, potentials for genetic improvement and production of high quality meat and useful by-products (Egbo et al, 2001; Herbert, 2011). Crossbreeding has been established breeding systems that can be performed in rabbit to increase production through the explosion of heterosis (Reddy et al, 2003). Gains in the performance can be established from complementary breed effects and heterosis in crossbreeding (Abd El-Halim, 2005). Growth traits occupied a predominant position in the economics of rabbit farms as heavier market weight is the key for farm profit (Rashwan et al, 1997). This study was conducted to evaluate genetically BW, BWG and RGR from weaning (at 4-week) up to marketing (at 12-week) of age, using diallel crossing scheme, involving three imported breeds CC, NN and RR to estimate mating type, direct additive and maternal additive effects. Direct heterotic effect on the previously mentioned traits and the recognition of the optimal mating group combination associated with crossbreeding between the three considered breeds
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