Genetic studies on the reproductive and productive traits of German Angora rabbits under temperate condition of Garhwal Himalayas.

The present study was conducted during 2002–2004 on 350 German Angora rabbits, maintained at rabbit research unit, G.B.P.U.A. & T., Hill Campus, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal. Least squares means, heritability estimates, genetic and phenotypic correlations were computed to evaluate the performance of reproductive and productive traits and their nature of relationship. The average of litter size at birth, litter size at weaning, litter weight at birth, litter weight at weaning, pre-weaning mortality, wool yield at first, second, third, fourth, fifth clips and annual wool yield in adults were found as 5.30 ± 0.44 kits, 4.60 ± 0.12 kits, 254.35 ± 5.21g, 2745.10 ± 24.35 g, 12.90 ± 0.70 per cent, 160.45 ± 7.85 g, 165.35 ± 5.25 g, 135.85 g, 142.20 ± 9.35 g and 775.75 ± 20.45 g, respectively. Pooled heritability estimate of the corresponding traits based on sire component of variance were 0.439 ± 0.254, 0.491 ± 0.071, 0.401 ± 0.101, 0.592 ± 0.155, 0.066 ± 0.072, 0.442 ± 0.151,0.399 ± 0.198, 0.484 ± 0.112, 0.208 ± 0.24, 0.255 ± 0.125, and 0.515 ± 0.100, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of litter size at birth with litter size at weaning, litter weight at birth and litter weight at weaning were positive and significant (P<0.01). The genetic and phenotypic correlations of litter size at weaning with litter weight at weaning were positive and significant (P<0.05). The genetic and phenotypic correlations of wool production traits as WY1 with WY2 were positive. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of WY5 with AWY were positive and significant (P<0.05).