Factors influencing litter traits and body weight at pre-weaning ages among temperate rabbit breeds in the tropical conditions of Nigeria

Authors

  • O. M. Akinsola Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • B. I. Nwagu National Animal Production Reseach Institute, Shika, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • M. Orunmuyi Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • G.T. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor National Animal Production Reseach Institute, Shika, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • O.T. F. Abanikannda Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos, Nigeria
  • E. D. Eze Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • A. J. Shoyombo Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • E. U. Okuda Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • U. Louis Department of Biology, School of Sciences, Federal College of Education, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria

Keywords:

New Zealand White;California;Hyla;Kit weight and Sire

Abstract

The present investigation was aimed at preliminary investigation of growth rate andprolificacy among temperate rabbit breeds namely, New Zealand White andCalifornia rabbits, in Kaduna State. Breed effect on litter traits and bodyweight were analyzed using the general linear model procedure of statisticalanalysis software (SAS, 9.0). Data from 397 kindling’s at different preweaningages (birth, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days) showed that crossbred rabbits wereheavier than the purebred for kit weight but purebred had higher values thanthe crossbred for litter traits. Breed and sire effects were significant(p<0.01) for both growth and litter  traits The results of thepresent study confirmed the potential of temperate rabbit breed insignificantly enhancing the litter and body weight of the progeny, which can bepotentially exploited for the development of meat rabbit suited to KadunaState.

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Published

2014-01-26

How to Cite

M. Akinsola, O., I. Nwagu, B., Orunmuyi, M. ., Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G. ., F. Abanikannda, O., D. Eze, E., J. Shoyombo, A., U. Okuda, E., & Louis, U. . (2014). Factors influencing litter traits and body weight at pre-weaning ages among temperate rabbit breeds in the tropical conditions of Nigeria. Scientific Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 3(1), 14-18. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjpas/article/view/1376

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2014): January

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2014 O. M. Akinsola, B. I. Nwagu, M. Orunmuyi, G.T. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, O.T. F. Abanikannda, E. D. Eze, A. J. Shoyombo, E. U. Okuda, U. Louis

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