Pre-Weaning and Post Weaning Growth Performance of Rabbits: Influence of Genotype and Litter Size in a Humid Tropical Environment

The effect of genotype and litter size on pre-weaning and post weaning body weight and linear body measurements of rabbits was observed using two breeds of rabbits- Dutch belted (Dutch) (DUT) and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Four genetic groups were generated from the two breeds namely: (DUT X DUT, NZW X NZW, DUT X NZW and NZW X DUT. Ninety nine offspring obtained from these crossbreeding systems were used for the experiment. Genotype significantly (p <0.05) influenced body weight at pre-weaning (1, 3, 5, 6, 8 weeks of age) and post weaning (10 and 12 weeks of age). The NZW X DUT crossbreds were significantly higher in body weight than two purebreds (NZW and DUT) and the DUT X NZW cross. Does with small litter size (4) consistently had (p<0.05) highest body weight across the weeks considered. Litter size (4) had the highest body length (40.55 ± 0.53cm). There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between litter size (5) (37.47 ± 0.64cm), (6) (38.33 ± 0.54cm), 7 (37.95 ± 0.49cm) and 9 (39.10 ± 0.78). Breed significantly (p<0. 05) affected ear length at 56, 70 and 84 days old. Rabbits in small litter size grow faster than those in larger litter size. It was concluded that variation exist in body weight and body measurements for the two breeds of rabbit used for this research. Crossbreeding to improve the efficiency of rabbit meat should be encouraged for maximum productivity.