Productive characteristics of four maternal lines of rabbit
2009
Ragab, M.M.
The objective of this study was to compare litter size traits and kindling interval in four Spanish maternal lines of rabbit (A, V, H and LP lines) selected for litter size at weaning. The analyses were performed at the origin of the lines and during the last six year-seasons shared at the same farm by at least three lines. The results were: 1. Heritabilities estimated for litter size traits were generally low. 2. Direct genetic correlations between litter size at weaning and other traits were highly positive. However, the genetic correlation between litter size and kindling interval was negative. 3. Low to moderate estimates for repeatability were observed for litter size traits. 4. Inbreeding had a low negative effect on litter size traits. The effect on kindling interval was irrelevant. 5. At the origin, line V had a higher litter size than line A. Also, LP and H lines had higher litter sizes than the line A. In addition, LP line had higher litter size than line V. Regarding the kindling interval, line H had a shorter interval than line A, while LP had a shorter interval than V. 6. Analyzing the results of lines V, H and A from December 2002 to May 2004, lines H and V had a higher litter size than line A. Comparing lines V and H, the last line had the highest total born. However, the number of born alive was similar to line V, which showed higher litter size at weaning and litter size at marketing. Regarding the kindling interval, line V had shorter interval than lines A and H. 7. Analyzing the results of lines LP, V and A from September 2007 to February 2009, line V had a higher total born than line A. However, there were no differences between both lines in number born alive, litter size at marketing and kindling interval. Furthermore, no significant differences were found when comparing the LP line with V and A
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