Abstract
The research was carried out to study the effect of different re-breeding intervals on the reproductive performance of rabbits. Twenty mature does were randomly assigned to five bucks for mating. Five re-breeding intervals of 2,3,4,5, and 6weeks were used with 6weeks re-breeding interval serving as control. Reproductive parameters evaluated were: average gestation length, conception rate, number of still birth, average number of live birth, average litter size at birth, average kit mortality before weaning, average litter size at weaning and does body weight at re- mating. The results showed that average gestation length, conception rate, number of still birth, average litter size at birth, average kit mortality before weaning, average litter size at weaning were not significantly different (P>0.05) among the treatment groups. There were however, significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments on the mean number of kits born alive. Does that were rebred after 5weeks of parturition had significantly (P<0.05) more kits born alive (5.10 kits) than does in the 4weeks rebreeding interval which had a mean value of 2.80 kits. There was however no significant difference between does rebred at 2, 3 and 6weeks intervals in the number of live births. Does rebred after 4weeks of parturition had superior body weight of 1.86kg at re- mating, which was however not different from the values obtained for does rebred at 3, 5 and 6weeks which were 1.68kg. 1.78kg and 1.60kg respectively. These values were however, significantly different (P<0.05) from does rebred at 2weeks. It was therefore concluded that under good management practices, re-breeding interval of 3weeks will ensure optimum use of doe for breeding with increased number of kits per doe per year.
References
Addass, P.A., Midau, A., Tizhe, M. A., Mshelia, M.B., Muktar,Y. M. and Nyako, H. D. (2011). Effects of rebreeding intervals on litter and Doe performance of rabbit in Bauchi State Nigeria. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science 1(3),193-197. Aminu, F. O., Fasugba, O. M. and Ogoloyinbo, O. D. (2020). Determinants of income from rabbit production in Lagos State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science and Technology,3(2),121-129 FAO (2014). FAOSTAT. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Rome, Italy. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G.T, Oyedipe, E. O., Eduvie, L. O. and Ogwu, D. (2005): Effects of rebreeding interval on reproductive performance and body weight changes of Does during pregnancy. Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 32 (1),142-152. Khan, S., Khan, K., Shah, S. U. and Ahmad, N. (2014). A preliminary assessment of rabbit farming and its scope in Kyber Pakhtunhwa province of Pakistan. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 30 (30),369 – 373. Kohel, P. F. (1995). Technical and economic results in 1994, 48 rabbits or 113kg of meat per breeding female. Cuniculture, 1(25),179-183. Mukaila, R. (2022). Agricultural entrepreneurship among youth: the case of youth involvement in rabbit production in Nigeria. International Entrepreneurship Review,8(1),35-46 https://doi.org/10.15678/1ER.2022.0801.03 Oguike, M. A. and Okocha N. L. (2019). Reproductive performance of rabbits re-mated at different intervals post-partum.: Advance in agriculture and agricultural sciences. International Scholar Journals (1), 001-004. Ominikari, A.G. (2023). Analysis of farmers perception on socio-economic benefits of rabbit production in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers state, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics, Environment and Social Sciences https://doi.org/10.56160/jaeess202391014 Oseni, S. O. (2012). Rabbit production in low-input systems in Africa – prospects, challenges and opportunities. World Rabbit Science Association. Proceedings 10th World Rabbit Congress September 3 – 6, Sharm ElSheikh – Egypt, 719 – 731. Rastogi. R. K. (1998). Performance data from a rabbitry in Trinidad. Proc. 4lh Cong, of World Rabbit Sci. Assoc., 255-263. SAS. (1995). Statistical Analysis System Institute Inc. User's guide statistic version (6th ed.). North Carolina, USA: Gary. Steel, R.G.D. and Torey, J. H. (1980). Principles and Procedures of Statistics. A Biochemical Approach (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill. Yamani, K. A. O., Daader, A. H. and Asker, A. A. (1992). Effect of re-mating interval on performance of rabbit production and reproduction. Options Mediterraneeness, Serie Seminaires,17,173-178.
