An Evaluation of Rabbit Breeding and Production in the Sudan

Abstract

as breeding stock. The breeds used are local Sudanese Baladi (40 does and 10 bucks) and New Zealand white (10 does and 2 bucks). The experiments start at June 2001 and ended in April 2003. For production of F1 from both breeds, the male and female matted to produce pure breed. New Zealand white does matted with Baladi bucks to produce crosses. Data concerning litter size, birth weight, weaning weight, maturity weight, gestation period and carcass characteristics of Baladi rabbit were analyze. The genetic parameters were very variable, due to the small number of animal used. Heritability of weaning weight was 0.994 and mature weight was 0.856. Phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlation between weaning weight and mature weight are positive; however correlation with average daily gain were negative. The litter size at birth of the cross bred was 5.00 individuals per litter was greater than the litter size of New Zealand white breed which averaged 4.30 and Baladi type which averaged 3.93. The Baladi shows the smallest birth weight (44.79 gs) as compared to the New Zealand white breed (57.40 gs) and the cross breed (54.99 gs). The New Zealand white breed exhibited greater pre-weaning and post weaning weight gain (20.27 and 10.77 gs / day, respectively). The joint as leg, ribs, front leg and back and flank shows no significantly differences between male and female of Baladi rabbits. The male muscles shows greater moisture content than female muscles.