Influence of Genotypes, Season of Birth, Parity Order and the Interactions between Them on Litter Traits and Body Weight Measurements of Rabbits

Abstract

The aim of current study was to investigate the effects of the effect of genotype, season of birth and parity order on litter traits and body weight measurements of V-line and Moshtohor line (M-line) of rabbits. A total number of six thousand and three hundreds (6300 kits) offspring obtanid from these strains (100 sires and 300 dams) were used in this study. The body weight traits were recorded at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Litter size at birth (LSB), Litter size at weaning at 28 days postnatal (LSW), Litter weight at birth (LWB), Litter weight at weaning at 28 days postnatal (LWW), Mortality rate and killing intervals. The effect of genotype showed that M-line revealed significant superiority (P<0.05) value of the body weight at all periods of estimation compared to V-line breeds. Also, the effect of season showed a significant (P < 0.05) change in the body weight at all periods of estimation due to season's effect. The heaviest live body weight was recorded for rabbits in springe, while the lowest live body weight was recorded in summer. Influence of parity indicated highly significant (P <0.05) differences in body weight in different intervals of age. The heaviest body weight was recorded in the third parity, while the lowest body weight was recorded in first parity. Likewise, the present study revealed a Highly significant (P < 0.05) difference were deleted in the litter size and at birth and weaning, litter weight at birth and at weaning between the different genotype, season and parity order. It can be concluded that M-line had the highest values of live body weight and litter traits compared to V-line rabbits. Current study finding suggest that M-line rabbits will be more productive and reproductive efficiency than V-line rabbit under Egyptian environmental conditions. So, the authors suggest that measuring of body weight and litter traits early ages could be a good and accurate indicator of growth performance in M-line.