Effect of re-mating intervals on growth and reproductive performance of rabbits

The aim of this study was to know the effects of postpartum re-mating intervals on reproductive performances of does and growth of kits. Fifteen female New Zealand White crossbred rabbits were divided into three groups of equal numbers. They were re-mated within 24 hours, at 10 days and 28 days postpartum. Animals were individually caged in cells measuring 2'×2'×2'. Does were kept under natural lighting. Plastic nest boxes were supplied to does 3-4 days before parturition. They were reared up to four generation. Litter weight at birth was significantly (p<0.05) higher at 10 days postpartum than within 24 hours and at 28 days postpartum intervals. Higher growth rate was observed in 10 days postpartum group comparing to other re-mating groups. Milk yield of the dams were significantly (p<0.05) higher when dam re-mated at 10 days postpartum than those re-mated within 24 hours after parturition. Conception rate, gestation length of does, litter size at birth and weaning, litter weight at weaning, doe weight at mating, kidding, weaning and kid mortality did not differ significantly among the groups. Rabbit does re-mated at 10 days postpartum show maximum litter weight at birth, growth rate of kits and milk yield of dam.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i2.18497 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (2): 143-147

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REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GILTS FROM LINES SELECTED FOR FEED UTILIZATION AND CARCASS SCORE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas72-029 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 267-271

Author(s):

M. H. FAHMY ◽

C. S. BERNARD

Keyword(s):

Least Squares ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Feed Utilization ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Yorkshire Pigs ◽

Score Line ◽

Size At Birth

Eight reproductive traits were studied on 751 gilts of 3 lines of Yorkshire pigs derived from a common population by selecting for feed utilization (line 1), carcass score (line 2), and for both traits combined (line 3) during 10 generations. Least squares means for the traits were as follows: gestation length 115.2 days; litter size at birth 9.0 pigs (total) and 8.4 pigs (alive); litter size at weaning 6.8 pigs; number of teats 13.4; and litter weight at birth, 21, and 56 days, 9.3, 32.6, and 92.6 kg, respectively. Heritability estimates were calculated for each line by half-sib correlation and intra-sire regression of offspring on dam. The pooled estimate for the above eight traits was 0.45, 0.11, 0.09, 0.15, −0.12, 0.08, 0.14, and 0.14, respectively. Line effect was highly significant for all traits except litter size at birth. Means and heritabilities for line 3 were higher than those for lines 1 and 2, which did not differ greatly from each other. Variation from year to year had significant effects only on litter weight at different ages. The within years–within line regressions of the eight traits on inbreeding were not significant. The within line phenotypic correlations between each of feed utilization and carcass score and the eight traits were generally low and nonsignificant.

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REPRODUCTIVE AND BODY WEIGHT PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS IN THE HUMID TROPICS OF NIGERIA.

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v18i.1965 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 61-65

Author(s):

I. K. ODUBOTE ◽

J. O. AKINOKUN

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Reproductive Parameters ◽

Average Birth Weight ◽

Litter Weight ◽

New Zealand White Rabbits ◽

White Breed ◽

Size At Birth

Fifty two litters obtained over a period of 8 months (December 1986-July 1987) from the mating of eight bucks with twenty nine does (first mating) and twenty three does (second mating) all belonging to the New Zealand White breed of rabbits were used in this analysis. Mean gestation length, number of mating to conception, litter size at birth and parturition interval were 31.6 ± 0.2 days, 1.4 ± 0.1, 5.6 ± 0.3 pups and 79.0 ± 14.5 days respectively. Litter weight at birth, 3,6 and 8 weeks of age were 230.4 ± 9.5g, 602.1 ± 35.6g, 1247.5 ± 81.5g and 1673.0 ± 112.3g respectively. Parity significantly (P <0.05) affected the number of mating to conception and litter birth weight. Litter weight at all ages were influenced (P<.01) by corresponding litter sizes at such ages. Sire neither had any effect on litter weight at all ages nor on any of the reproductive parameters studied. Litter size at birth was negatively correlation with gestation length (-0.08), number of matings to conception (-0.27) and average birth weight (-0.42).

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MASS SELECTION IN A PIG POPULATION. 2. THE EFFECTS OF INBREEDING WITHIN THE SELECTED POPULATIONS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas77-081 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 627-634 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

HITOSHI MIKAMI ◽

H. T. FREDEEN ◽

A. P. SATHER

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Degrees Of Freedom ◽

Regression Coefficients ◽

Longissimus Dorsi ◽

Mass Selection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Size At Birth

The regression of reproductive performance of dams and post-natal performance of progeny on inbreeding was examined for a population of replicated lines subjected to mass selection over a period of nine generations. Inbreeding advanced by 2.0–2.3% per generation. Regression coefficients per 1% increase in inbreeding, based on 817 degrees of freedom for first parity sows, were −.56 ±.23 kg for dam weight at first parturition (12 mo), −.48 ±.19 kg for dam weight change from parturition to weaning, −.013 ±.034 for litter size at birth, −.103 ±.033 for litter size at weaning and −1.36 ±.36 kg for litter weight at weaning. Regressions for post-natal traits, estimated for progeny produced by second parity dams during the final three generations (638 df) were 10.3 ± 4.0 g for birth weight, 16.8 ± 32.7 g for weaned weight, −4.53 ± 1.22 g for post-weaning daily gain, −.34 ±.16 mm for backfat,.10 ±.04 cm2 for cross-sectional area of the longissimus dorsi, and.09 ±.04% for estimated yield of trimmed retail product from the carcass.

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Reproductive attributes of local pig (Votho) of Nagaland, India

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.11426 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

N. Savino ◽

Z. Chusi ◽

A. Dhali ◽

P. Perumal

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Litter Size ◽

Field Survey ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Reproductive Parameters ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Size At Birth ◽

Selection Of ◽

Age At First Farrowing

The present study was conducted to measure the reproductive attributes of Naga local pigs (Votho) in Kohima, Peren and Phek district of Nagaland. The reproductive parameters were measured through field survey and reproductive records of owner. The reproductive parameters such as age at first fertile service (AFFS), age at first farrowing (AFF), gestation length, farrowing interval, litter size at birth, litter size at weaning, litter weight at birth, litter weight at weaning, mortality rate and stillbirth rate were measured. The result revealed that there was a significant difference among the different districts of Nagaland in AFFS, AFF and litter weight at birth. Parameters such as AFFS, AFF and litter weight at birth were significantly higher and gestation length, farrowing interval, litter size at weaning, litter weight at birth, litter weight at weaning were non-significantly higher in Kohima than in Peren and Phek District. Similarly, parameters such as litter size at birth, mortality rate were non-significantly higher in Peren district and stillbirth was non- significantly higher in Phek district than other districts of Nagaland. These reproductive attributes analyses may be useful in selection of breeding stock for future parents and select the place for breeding programme for indigenous local Naga pigs.

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Phenotypic relationships between gestation length and preweaning litter traits in rabbits.

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v31i2.1584 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 154-160

Author(s):

O. N. Durunna ◽

U. E. Ogundu

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Litter Traits ◽

Degree Of Association ◽

High Degree ◽

The Relationship ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Size At Birth

A total of 135 kittens from 22 kindlings were used to determine the relationship between gestation length (GL) and some preweaning litter traits alongside the weight of their 12 dams. Average daily gain at 21 days (ADG21), average litter weight at birth (ALWB), kindling to weaning viability (KWV), litter size at birth{L.SB), litter size at 21 days (LS21), litter weight at 21 days(LW21), litter weight at birth (LWAB), and still birth number (SBN) when subjected to multiple regression analysis revealed non-significant t-test value with GL. However, Average litter weight at 21 days (ALW21) was highly significant (P<0.01) suggesting that such can be used to predict GL. Weight of doe (WOD) was highly significant (P<0.01) showing that such parameter is important for predicting GL. A high R2 value was obtained indicating that the variability in GL is explained by the linearity of the preweaning litter traits and WOD. However the correlation coefficient R, (0.89) revealed a high degree of association between the preweaning litter traits in the rabbits and the weight of doe in a linear form. The F-value was significant at P<0.05 indicating that WOD and the preweaning litter traits in rabbits have significant contribution to the variation in GL. The correlations among traits were positive and significant for majority of the traits, which include live birth number (LBN), ADG21, ALW21, KWV, LS21, and LW21. However SBN had negative correlation with other traits.

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Reproductive performance in purebred and crossbred commercial rabbits

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100027227 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 325-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

G. G. Partridge ◽

S. Foley ◽

W. Corrigall

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Conception Rate ◽

Annual Production ◽

Reciprocal Crosses ◽

Contributory Factors ◽

Weaning Age ◽

Size At Birth

ABSTRACTThe reproductive performance of does of New Zealand White (N) and Californian (C) strains of rabbit was compared with that of the two reciprocal crosses, C × N and N × C (sire × dam). Both types of crossbred doe showed a reproductive performance superior to the purebred strains, having both a higher conception rate and mean litter size at birth. C × N, N × C, N and C does reared on average 6·6, 7·4, 5·0 and 4·9 pups to weaning age respectively. Expressed in terms of an estimated annual production of weanlings the N × C does produced nearly twice as many progeny to 4 weeks of age as the purebreds N and C (37 pups cf. 21 and 19 pups respectively). Total losses prior to weaning were approximately 25% in all breeds, largely from stillbirths, and subsequent chilling and/or starvation in the nest (36% and 38% of diagnosed deaths respectively). Other contributory factors are discussed.

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Effect of lighting schedule, intensity, and colour on reproductive performance of rabbit does

World Rabbit Science ◽

10.4995/wrs.2021.14623 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 59

Author(s):

Yingjie Wu ◽

Ang Zhao ◽

Yinghe Qin

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

White Light ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Red Light ◽

Conception Rate ◽

Reproductive Parameters ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Size At Birth

In order to establish a lighting regime suitable for rabbit farms in East China, the effects of lighting schedule, intensity and colour on the reproductive performance of rabbit does were evaluated by three experiments, respectively. In experiment 1, does were exposed to different lighting schedules: 16L:8D-continuous, 16L:8D-18d (6 d before artificial insemination (AI) to 12 d post-AI), 16L:8D-6d (6 d before AI to the day of AI) and 12L:12D-continuous. In experiment 2, does were exposed to different light intensities: 40 lx, 60 lx, 80 lx and 120 lx. In experiment 3, does were exposed to different light colours: white, yellow, blue and red. For all experiments, conception rate, kindling rate and pre-weaning mortality were calculated; litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning and individual kit weight at weaning were recorded. Results showed that none of the reproductive parameters of does were affected by the application of 16L:8D-18d lighting schedule compared with the continuous 16L:8D group(P>0.05). Moreover, rabbits does exposed to 80 lx light performed as well as those under 120 lx light in conception rate, kindling rate, litter size (total and alive) at birth and litter weight at birth (P>0.05). Furthermore, the exposures of 60 lx and 80 lx light were beneficial for litter weight at weaning. In addition, red light had a positive effect, as it led to a larger litter size and litter weight at weaning and lower pre-weaning mortality than white light (P<0.05). In summary, a 16L:8D photoperiod with 80 lx red light from 6 d before AI to 12 d post-AI is recommended for use in breeding of rabbit does according to our results.

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An analysis of reproductive performance in pigs based on records of performance of the boar

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9770256 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 17 (85) ◽

pp. 256 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K Baharin ◽

RG Beilharz

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Conception Rate ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Large White ◽

Average Birth Weight ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Commercial Farm ◽

Heritability Estimates

The reproductive performance of 308 boars with total records of 9220 matings from a large commercial farm was analysed. The boars were purebred Large White, Landrace and from the newly synthesized M breed and were mated to purebred and crossbred sows of the same breeds. The M breed was derived from crossing between Large White and Landrace pigs with foundation females selected on the basis of their ability to produce large litters. Over half the total records were from matings with sows of parity 1 and parity 2. Overall production statistics were 78.8 per cent conception rate, an average total litter size of 9.3 pigs born per litter, 6.5 per cent stillbirths, an average litter weight (live piglets) at birth of 12.2 kg, average birth weight per piglet of 1.43 kg and average gestation length of 11 5 days. Most of the traits analysed showed significant effects due to parity of dams, with performance increasing from parity 1 to parity 6 to 8, after which the performance began to decline. There were significant heterosis effects (mainly maternal) on reproduction of the sows and survival performance of the litters resulting in an estimated improvement of 11 per cent in number of live pigs born, 12.4 per cent in total litter weight at birth and 35 per cent reduction in stillbirths. Heritability estimates were generally low for most traits except for boar conception rate which was moderate (0.29).

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Production performance of HyCole, New Zealand White Rabbits and its reciprocal

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak dan Veteriner ◽

10.14334/jitv.v22i1.1590 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 16

Author(s):

Bram Brahmantiyo ◽

Yono C. Raharjo ◽

L. H. Prasetyo

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Body Weight ◽

New Zealand ◽

Litter Size ◽

Tropical Climate ◽

Hybrid Vigor ◽

Production Performance ◽

Growth Data ◽

New Zealand White Rabbits ◽

Size At Birth

New Zealand White rabbits (NZW) has been known as broiler rabbit that has been well adapted in Indonesia. HyCole rabbits were imported from France that were selected for high reproduction and growth rate. This study was aimed to evaluate the productivity of HyCole and New Zealand White rabbits and their reciprocal as the basis to develop broiler rabbit which adaptive to tropical climate. Forty heads of doe (PBPB) and 17 heads of buck (PAPA) of HyCole rabbit, and 30 heads of doe and 6 heads of buck of New Zealand White rabbits (NN) were used. The ration was given according to IRIAP standard ration (18 % CP, 2500 kcal ME/kg and 14 % CF). The diet was provided in the morning and the evening, and drinking water was provided ad libitum. Reproductive performance of does (litter size at birth, litter size at wean, mortality and weekly does body weight) and the kit’s growth performance (weekly body weight from weaning until the age of 20 weeks) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the SAS program (SAS 2001). Rabbits growth data were periodically analyzed by Gompertz model (Blasco & Gomez 1993). HyCole rabbit which was bred in Indonesia had production performance better than NZW rabbit and PAN crossbred (HyCole bucks x NZW does) had the potential to be bred as superior rabbit adaptive to tropical climate because they had hybrid vigor of the number of litter size at birth and kit’s growth rate.

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Pomegranate peel as a natural antioxidant enhanced reproductive performance and milk yield of female rabbits

World Rabbit Science ◽

10.4995/wrs.2016.4025 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 207 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H.S. Zeweil ◽

Y.M. Elgindy

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Crude Fibre ◽

Pomegranate Peel ◽

Live Body Weight ◽

Size At Birth

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary pomegranate peel (PP; 9.61% crude protein and 13.1% crude fibre) on reproductive performance and milk yield of heat-stressed rabbit does. Forty-eight V-line rabbit does with average initial live body weight of 3.59±0.11 kg (2nd parity; 9 mo old) were divided into 4 treatment roups (12 does per group). The first group was fed diet free of PP. The second, third and fourth groups were fed diets containing 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0% PP, respectively, included in substitution of clover hay from the basal diet. Feed of the 4 groups was free of added antioxidants. The studied traits were: kindling rate, gestation period, litter size, litter weight, kit weight at both birth and weaning (28 d of lactation) for the last 3 parameters, pre-weaning mortality and milk yield. Range of temperatures and relative humidity during the experimental period in the rabbitry varied between 27.5-33.5°C and 64-76%, respectively. The inclusion of PP quadratically affected litter size at birth (P<0.001) and weaning (P<0.01), as well as milk yield (P<0.001). However, it tended to reduce the kit milk intake in most lactation periods (P=0.078), leading to a linear reduction in individual kit weight at weaning (P=0.060). In conclusion, supplementations of PP in the diet of does during summer season in Egypt can improve their productivity.

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