Some behabioural studies on rabbits
Abstract: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of breed, parity and month of kindling on soma productive and reproductive traits of the breeding doe; and some productive traits of their young throughout six successive parities and during 8-month experimental period in two widespread breeds; Californian (Cal) and New Zealand white (NZW).
The obtained results may be concluded as follows:
Doe live weight did not show any significant differences at each successful mating and averaged 3260.0 and 3332.2 gm respectively, in Cal and NZW breeds. Doe live weight at each successful mating increased insignificantly with advanced parities and did not show any definits trend at different months of mating.
Breeding does of NZW showed insignificant higher conce-
Rate (76.8%) than Cal (72.5%) . Conception rate /decreased from the 1st parity (73.8%) to the 2nd (62.0%) and then increased gradually up to the 6th one (87.2%) in Cal. In NZW conception rate decreased from the 1st parity (79.2%) one to the 3rd one (61.4%) and increased thereafter up to the 6th one (96.3%). However the differences among parities in conception rate was found to be insignificant. Conception rate decreased from March (76.8, 84.9%)) to April (70.8, 69.9%) and increased stepwise up to October (93.3%) in Cal and NZW breeds, respectively. The month of mating had high significant effect (P<0.01) on conception rate in Cal and Showed significant effect (P<0.05) on the same trait in NZW rabbits.
Gestation period averaged 30.3 and 30.4 days in Cal and NZW respectively. The effect of breed was found to be insignificant (P>0.05). Parity did not show any significant effect on gestation period and ranged from 30.3 to 30.6 days in Cal and from 30.0 to 31.4 days in NZW. The highest values for gestation period were obtained during November, the effect of month of kindling on gestation period was found to be insignificant (P<0.05).
Frequency distribution of gestation period showed that 30 day gestation period represented 51.3% in Cal and 33.9% in NZW does while it was 13.2% and 21.8% for 29 day period and 23.1% and 22.5% for the 31 day period of the two breeds respectively. In successive parities frequency of longer gestation period was 30, 31 and 29 day period and the frequency of the shorter was 27, 33, 28 and 32 day - period. Frequency distribution of gestation period of successive months of kindling from April to November was 30, 31 and 29 day period in the longer gestation period and 27, 28, 33 and 32 day - period in the shorter gestation period.
Average of relative self-plucked hair weight was 0.005 and 0.006 in Cal and NZW and the differences due to breed in this trait was found to be significant (P<0.0S). Average relative self-plucked hair weight increased
Gradually from parity up to the 6th on and the differences due to parity were found to be significant (P<0.01). Average relatives self-plucked hair and NZW was of relative self-plucked hair weight increased from April to September and then decreased the rafter in Cal and NZW. The highest values of relative self- plucked hair were obtained in September, October and November while the lowest values were obtained during April in both breeds. The effect weight of month of kindling on relative self-plucked hair found to be significant (P<0.0l).
The number or teats per breeding doe was 8.6and 8.2 in Cal and NZW, respectively. Milk yield increased gradually up to 3rd week and then 4th week in both breeds. Milk yield in Cal surpassed that in NZW at 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th week of age and total milk yield (4weeks.). The differences in milk yield were not significant at 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th week of age; while these differences were highly significant (P<0.01) at 4th week of lactation and total period as well. The milk yield per doe decreased gradually till the 3rd parity in Cal and 4th one in NZW and then increased stepwise up to the 6th parity. The effect of parity on milk yield at 2nd week of lactation was significant (P<0.05) in NZW. Milk yield recorded the highest values during April, October and November in Cal and NZW, while the lowest values were recorded during July and during September in NZW at the whole lactation period except for the 3rd week of lactation. Month of kindling had a significant effect (P<0.01) on milk yield at different periods of lactation.
Litter size decreased from the 1st parity to the 3rd one and then increased gradually up to the 6th parity which showed the highest values in Cal and NZW breeds. The differences in litter size due to significant (P<0.01) at all ages in both breeds. Largest litter size was obtained in November for both Cal and NZW at all ages studied. The smallest size of litter was obtained at birth in May and August in Cal and NZW, respectively. The differences in litter size due to month were significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
The differences in both breeds in litter weight was found to be significant (P<0.05) at weaning (28 day old), while the differences at other ages were not significant in the 5th parity at all ages studied. The other parities did not show any constant trend at all ages studied in both breeds. The heaviest litter weight was obtained in November at all ages, while other the months did not show any definite trend in litter weight.
Breed and parity had insignificant effect on bunny weight at birth, 1st, 2nd , 3rd and 4th week of age. The month of kindling showed highly significant effect (P<0.01) on bunny weight at 3rd week of age in Cal and NZW and significant effect (P<0.05) at 4th week (weaning) in Cal. However it did not show any significant effect on bunny weight at other ages.
Viability percentage from birth to 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th week of age (weaning) was 83.1, 82.3, 77.6, 73.3 and 71.4 % in Cal and 88.1, 77.7, 73.1, 70.4 and 68.2% in NZW. Cal insignificantly surpassed NZW at all ages except at birth, however the effect of breed, parity (except the 6th one)and month of Kindling not significant on viability percentage. The 6th parity showed higher viability percentage than the other parities which did not show any definite trend.
Studies on the correlation coefficient between each pairs of the
productive and reproductive traits revealed that, the significant(P<0.01) Positive correlation between doe live weight and each of relative self-plucked hair yield and ranged from0.33 to 0.56 in both breeds.
Results showed that the correlation coefficient between relative self-plucked hair weight and each of litter size at birth, 3rd and 4th week of age, milk week at 3rd week of lactation were significantly (P<0.01) positive and ranged from 0.26 to 0.55 in both breeds.
Correlation coefficient between litter size at birth and each of litter- weight, milk yield at different ages were significantly positive (P<0.01). and ranged from 0.44 to 0.98, while it was significantly (P<0.01) negative with bunny weight and viability percentage from birth to 3rd and 4th week and ranged from - 0.26 to -0.55 in both breeds.
Results showed that correlation coefficient between litter weight at birth were significantly (P<0.01) Positive with viability percentage from birth to 3rd and 4th week of age and ranged from -0.18 to -0.37.
Publication year 1991
Pages 136p.
Organization Name
Country Egypt
Department Rabbit, Turkey and Water Fowl Research Department
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal physiology - Nutrition
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Breeds (animals). Copulation. Gestation period. Milk yield. Production. Rabbits. Reproductive behaviour. Reproductive performance.
Publication Type PhD Thesis
↑