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Reproductive performance of rabbits re-mated at different
intervals post-partum
M. A Oguike and N. L. Okocha
Michael
Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P. M. B 7267
Umuahia, Abia State. Nigeria.
Accepted 22 May, 2008
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Investigations on post-partum re-mating intervals were
conducted using 27 primiparous Dutch and Chinchilla crosses.
Three treatments comprising re-mating intervals at 3, 4 and
5 weeks designated Ta, Tb, and Tc, respectively were used
for the investigations. Nine does were randomly assigned to
each of the treatments. The does were fed concentrate at the
rate of 210 g doe-1 day-1, fresh
forage and clean water were supplied ad libitum.
Parameters studied were: Receptivity, Conception rate,
Gestation length, Stillbirth, Litter size at birth, Litter
size at weaning, Litter birth weight, Litter weight at
weaning. Body weight of doe at mating, kindling and weaning
were recorded. Results of the study showed that receptivity
was higher in Ta and Tb than Tc. Conception rate was
significantly higher (P<0.05) for Ta (100.00%), than Tb
(56.17%) and Tc (44.53%). Stillbirth recorded significantly
higher (P<0.01) value for does re-mated at 3 week intervals
(Ta, 3.70%) while Tb and Tc recorded 0.00 and 0.33%,
respectively. Litter birth weight of Ta (45.21 g) was
significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of Tb (65.53 g) and
Tc (63.19 g). Also litter weaning weights of Tb (152.22 g)
and Tc (147.22 g) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than
that of Ta (101.66 g) In conclusion, although week 3
re-mating interval has higher conception rate than the rest
of the treatments, re-mating does at week 4 post- partum
appeared better because it recorded no stillbirth and higher
litter weights at birth and weaning all of which are
indicative of higher reproductive efficiency.
Key
words: Rabbit does, re-mating interval, early weaning,
reproductive performance. |
