Effect Of Breed And Breeding System On Reproductive Performance Of Rabbits

ABSTRACT

Two hundred and forty-eight data from twelve does and forty-six kits were recorded in a 2x2 factorial experiment in CRD over a peiiod of 12 weeks from the artificial insemination and natural mating of 6 Newzealand White and 6 Chinchilla does, respectively to investigate the effect of breed and breeding system on their reproductive performance. Analysis of the data showed that breed had significant (P<0.05) effect on litter size at weaning and average kit weight at week 8 (56th day) but non-significant (P>0.05) effect on all other reproductive traits measured except on average kit weight at weaning which was significantly .05) effect on all other reproductive traits measured except on average kit weight at weaning which was significantly (P<0.05 ) higher on artificial insemination (332.6 ± 0.lg) than natural mating (299±15.4g). Interaction between breed and breeding system produced significant (