Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances

Year: 2006
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Page No. 249 - 255

Studies of Pre-Weaning Physical Measurements in Rabbits in Humid Tropics of Nigeria

Authors : Chineke, C.A

Abstract: Pre-weaning linear measurements on 280 and 261 kits from 78 and 74 litters at 21 and 28 days of age, collected over 3 years were used in the study. Evaluation criteria include nose to shoulder length(NTS), Shoulder To Tail (STL), trunk length (TLK), heart girth (HGT), height at withers (HTW) and length of ear (LTE).The least squares model included main effects of genotype, parity, sex, season, first-order interactions between genotype,sex, parity and season and random error. Genotype, parity, sex and season differences were detected for linear traits considered. Crossbred New Zealand white x Chinchilla (NZW xCHA) and New Zealand white. Dutch-belted x New Zealand white. Dutch-belted (NZWDBDxNZWDBD) had best performance over the other genotypes. Parity means were significantly (p<0.05) different for all traits except 21-day HGT. Parity 6 was superior in 21-day linear traits and in 28- NTS and STL. Sex mean values for 21-day linear measurements were different (p<0.05) except HGT with females being consistently bigger and longer than males. Sex means were similar at 28 days where females recorded longer STL and HWT and wider HGT than males. The mean values by season differed (p<0.05) in 21-day NTS, STL and TKL and in 28-day measurements except LTE. Dry season measurements were superior at 28 days. The linear body measurements would provide quantitative measures of body size and shape. Assure factors influencing them should be given attention in breeding programmes

How to cite this article:

Chineke, C.A , 2006. Studies of Pre-Weaning Physical Measurements in Rabbits in Humid Tropics of Nigeria. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 249-255.

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