Two hundred twenty-five lactation and litter performance records from 82 does representing four genetic groups and two diets were analyzed to quantify breed, heterosis, reciprocal F1 cross and diet effects for milk production and associative traits. Doe genetic groups were New Zealand White (NN) and Californian (CC) straightbred and Californian X New Zealand White (CN) and New Zealand White X Californian (NC) reciprocal crossbreds. Pelleted diets fed to does and litters were either a commercial control or a 74% alfalfa diet. Three sire breeds of litters included NN, CC and Flemish Giant (FG) straightbreds. Doe genetic group and diet were important sources of variation (P less than .05) for all traits examined except for litter milk efficiency (litter gain/milk intake) and doe feed efficiency (milk yield/feed intake). The sire breed of litter effect did not influence (P greater than .05) lactational performance of does nor associative preweaning traits. Straightbred NN does were heavier at kindling, yielded more milk, reared a heavier litter by 21 d and were more efficient in converting feed into milk than were straightbred CC does (P less than .01). Significant heterosis was detected for milk production and for litter size and weight at 21 d. Reciprocal differences between crossbred doe groups were observed (P less than .05) for litter milk efficiency and doe feed intake. The 74% alfalfa diet was superior to the commercial control diet for effects on milk production and litter size and weight at 21 d, although doe feed intake was increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reproductive characters (N = 430 matings) of four doe genetic groups and preweaning performance of litters (N = 280) were evaluated in a 15-mo study. Doe genetic groups were New Zealand White (NN) and Californian (CC) straightbreds and Californian X New Zealand White (CN) and New Zealand White X Californian (NC) crossbreds. Does and litters were provided either a commercial control or a 74% alfalfa pelleted diet. Sires of litters included NN, CC and Flemish Giant (FG) straightbred bucks. The linear and quadratic regression on age of dam affected (P less than .01) litter birth weight. The NN does were heavier than CC does at first breeding at 154 d and produced heavier litters at birth and weaning (all P less than .01). Percentage survival of kits from birth to weaning and doe and preweaning litter feed intake and efficiency were greater from NN than CC does (all P less than .01). Numbers born and reared/litter to weaning at 28 d were likewise greater for NN vs CC straightbred does. Heterosis estimated from comparing litters of reciprocal crossbred vs straightbred does was significant for number born, litter birth and weaning weights and doe and preweaning litter feed intake. Reciprocal crossbred differences were observed (P less than .05) for doe breeding weight, number born and weaned per litter, litter birth and weaning weights and doe and preweaning litter feed intake, favoring CN does reared by NN straightbred dams over NC does. Diet, in consistent favor of the 74% alfalfa diet, significantly affected all traits studied with the exception of doe longevity, doe fertility percentage, and doe and litter feed efficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
This chapter gives a brief description of rabbit production in some major areas of the world. Focus is given on rabbit production in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Africa. The future world rabbit production and rabbit research are discussed.
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