Abstract
Summary Records from 1416 litters representing 99 bucks and 586 does were used to estimate heritabilities of and genetic correlations among litter size, mortality and growth parameters of New Zealand White rabbits from birth to 56 days of age. Heritabilities were estimated by the paternal halfsib correlation method from a model that included remating interval, parity and sire. Genetic correlations were calculated from sire components of variance and covariance. Heritability estimates were low for litter size (.02 ± .04 to .08 ± .05), slightly higher for percent mortality (.08 ± 0.5 to .23 ± .07), and moderate for litter weight, average kit weight at 28 days and average daily gain from 28 to 56 days (.35 ± .08, .44 ± .09, and .22 ± .07, respectively). Low estimates of heritability were obtained for litter weight and average kit weight at 56 days (.03 ± .05 and .07 ± .05, respectively). Genetic correlations for average daily gain from 28 to 56 days were positive with number alive at 56 days, litter weight and average kit weight at 56 days. However, genetic correlations for average daily gain from 28 to 56 days with other traits indicated that selection for this trait could decrease performance up to 28 days of age.
Published Version
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