Pre-weaning growth performance of kits of a local Algerian rabbit population: influence of dam coat color, parity and kindling season

Autor: O. Abdelli-Larbi, F. Mazouzi-Hadid, M. Berchiche, G. Bolet, H. Garreau, F. Lebas
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: World Rabbit Science, Vol 22, Iss 3, Pp 231-239 (2014)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1257-5011
1989-8886
DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2014.1493
Popis: This study evaluated the effect of dam coat colours, doe’s parity order, year and kindling season on litter size and growth of suckling kits of a local Algerian rabbit population. Rabbits were reared in the rabbitry of Tizi Ouzou (Algeria) in wire mesh cages placed in a building with natural lighting and ventilation and absence of temperature regulation. Weights and size of 572 litters (3795 kits) at birth, 7, 14, 21 and 28 d were analysed. The mother’s coat colours (2 levels only: albino or coloured coat), the doe’s parity (1, 2, 3, 4-5, 6-8, ≥9 kindlings), the kindling year (4 consecutive years) and the kindling season (3 seasons: Feb-May, June-Sept and Oct-Jan), were used as main fixed factors in a factorial analysis. The population was characterised by an average individual weight of 54 g at birth and 404 g at 30 d, growth rate of 10.24 g/d between birth and 24 d and of 19.02 g/d between 24 and 30 d. The coloured females were more prolific than the albino ones: 5.59 vs. 5.09 weaned/litter (P=0.016); but kits born from albino does had a larger individual weight at weaning: 391 vs. 362 g (P=0.006). The doe’s parity order had no significant influence on the litter weight, individual weight or litter size at kindling. However, it influenced litter weight and litter size from 7 d of age up to 28 d in favour of 2nd and 3rd parity (P
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