Authors : P.M. Rojan, K.A. Bindu and T.V. Raja
Abstract: A study was conducted to assess the suitability of different crosses of rabbit breeds as efficient meat producers in the subtropical climatic conditions of Kerala India. Three rabbit breeds viz., White Giant (WG), Soviet Chinchilla (SC) and Grey Giant (GG) maintained at the University Rabbit Farm, Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy were utilized for the study. Body weight and growth records of F1 progeny were taken at birth, 2nd and 4th week of age. Data on pre-weaning body weight and growth rates of 562 pure and crossbred kits was subjected to least squares analysis of variance. Among the purebreds, highest pre-weaning body weights at birth, 2nd and 4th week were recorded for WG. Among crossbreds and purebreds progenies of WG male crossed to GG female (WG x GG) recorded the highest pre-weaning weight at 2nd and 4th week. Birth weight was highest for WG x SC crosses. The growth rates during 0-2, 2-4 and 0-4 weeks were 9.16, 11.76 and 10.50 g, respectively. Based on the results obtained in the study it was concluded that the genetic group of the rabbits had highly significant (p<0.01) influence on pre-weaning body weights as well as growth rates.
P.M. Rojan, K.A. Bindu and T.V. Raja, 2012. Effect of Genetic Groups on Pre-Weaning Body Weights and Growth Rates of Rabbits Maintained under Organized Farm Conditions. Veterinary Research, 5: 68-69.