Factors influencing the weight of the doe during pregnancy in different breeds of rabbits

Abstract

The effect of breed, year of production, age of doe at conception, season of conception and parity on doe's weight at conception, at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week of gestation, after kindling and on doe's total weight gain during gestation were studied using data from 250 pregnant does from five breeds of rabbits: Bauscat, Giza White, Baladi Red, Gray Giant Flander and Baladi White. Breed and year of production were the most important factors affecting doe's weight during pregnancy and after kindling while the other factors were of minor influence. Age of doe at conception was not significant for all the weights and total weight gain recorded. Season of conception was the most important factor affecting doe's total weight gain during gestation while all the other factors were of minor importance. The effect of parity was significant for doe's weight at the 4th week of gestation, otherwise it was not significant for the weights and total weight gain recorded. Breed rank for doe's weight at different stages of gestation differed from that for doe's total weight gain during pregnancy. Weights and total weight gain of pregnant does recorded during 1978/79 were higher than those recorded during 1977/78.