Abstract:
A study on the growth and reproductive performance of two rabbit breeds was undertaken. Data on 588 kits
and 97 does of California White and 574 kits and 90 does of
New Zealand White rabbits reared under hot and humid
environment in Ghana were taken. The reproductive performance of the two breeds, in terms of litter size at birth and
weaning, litter weight at birth and weaning, kindling interval,
age at sexual maturity, and gestation length as influenced by
breed, season of kindling (rainy and dry), year of kindling
(2005–2012), and parity (first to sixth and over) were determined. The performance of California White in terms of litter
size at birth, at weaning, kit weight at birth, and age at first
kindling was 5.9±0.2, 4.6±0.1, 54.7±0.4 g, and 159.8±
0.2 days, respectively. That of New Zealand White was 5.9±
0.1, 5.1±0.1, 55.2±1.0 g, and 159.9±0.2 days, respectively.
The results obtained also showed a significant breed effects on
kit weight at birth, litter weight at weaning, and mortality;
whereas no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed
between the two breeds regarding the other traits measured.
Parity had significant effects (p<0.05) on all the growth and
reproductive parameters measured with the exception of age at
first kindling. Year of kindling also had significant effect on
litter weight at birth, kit weight at birth, and at weaning
(p<0.05) but did not have any significant effect on the age
at sexual maturity and mortality. Season also had significant
(p<0.05) effects on kit weight at birth, gestation length, kindling interval, and mortality with better performance experienced during the rainy season
