ABSTRACT

Data was collected on growth traits of crossbred rabbits comprising the main cross - Newzealand White and Chinchilla (NZW x CHI) and the reciprocal cross (CHI x NZW). Total of 15 and 16 progenies were evaluated for the main and reciprocal crosses, respectively. The expt:riment lasted for 8 weeks in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with type of cross as factor of interest. Traits measured were. body weight (BW), body length (BL). heart girth (HG), head to shoulder (HS), length of hind limb (LHB), length of fore limb (LFB), ear length (EL), tail length (TL) and thigh girth (TG). The result showed significant different in some of the traits between the crosses at the various weeks. At 2 weeks. the main cross had higher (p<0.01) BW (187.10 ± 29.61) and TG (4.73 ± 0.75) compared to the reciprocal. At week 4, BL, EL. HG, LHB, LFB and TL showed significant mean difference (p>< 0.05, p< 0.0 I) between the crosses. BL (20.69 ± 2.14). EL ( 6. 72 :r 0.086) and TL (4.72 ± 0.82) of the reciprocal crosses were significantly longer than those of the main cross whereas the reverse was the case for LHB and LFB. At 6 weeks. BW (0.55 ± 0.1 I land LFB (10.43 ± 0.84) were significantly higher in the main cross (NZW x CHI). whereas the reciprocal cross (CHI x NZW) had significantly longer BL (24.00 ± 2.83) and HS (8.63 ± 0.50). at 8 weeks, the main cross had higher (p< 0.05) BW (0.76 ± 0.20), BL (26.43 ± 1.67), HS (9.10 ± 1.60) and LFB (11.33 ± 1.20) than the reciprocal cross. The result indicated evidence of genetic variability between the two crosses, which can be used to improve the significant traits. This thus implies that the crossbreeds of (NZW x CHI) were more desirable as these emerged to have better growth traits than the reciprocal. Based on the result from the breeding experiment. it was concluded that the main crosses (NZW x CHI) be considered for increased rabbit meat production in the south east Nigeria.