J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1983. 57:1100-1107.
© 1983 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lukefahr, S.
Right arrow Articles by Patton, N. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Lukefahr, S.
Right arrow Articles by Patton, N. M.

Characterization of Straightbred and Crossbred Rabbits for Milk Production and Associative Traits1

Steven Lukefahr2,3,, W. D. Hohenboken3, P. R. Cheeke3,4 and N. M. Patton5

Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331

4 To whom reprint requests should be addressed.

Abstract

Two hundred twenty-five lactation and litter performance records from 82 does representing four genetic groups and two diets were analyzed to quantify breed, heterosis, reciprocal F1 cross and diet effects for milk production and associative traits. Doe genetic groups were New Zealand White (NN) and Californian (CC) straightbred and Californian x New Zealand White (CN) and New Zealand White x Californian (NC) reciprocal crossbreds. Pelleted diets fed to does and litters were either a commercial control or a 74% alfalfa diet. Three sire breeds of litters included NN, CC and Flemish Giant (FG) straightbreds. Doe genetic group and diet were important sources of variation (P<.05) for all traits examined except for litter milk efficiency (litter gain/milk intake) and doe feed efficiency (milk yield/feed intake). The sire breed of litter effect did not influence (P>.05) lactational performance of does nor associative preweaning traits. Straight bred NN does were heavier at kindling, yielded more milk, reared a heavier litter by 21 d and were more efficient in converting feed into milk than were straightbred CC does (P<.01). Significant heterosis was detected for milk production and for litter size and weight at 21 d. Reciprocal differences between crossbred doe groups were observed (P<.05) for litter milk efficiency and doe feed intake. The 74% alfalfa diet was superior to the commercial control diet for effects on milk production and litter size and weight at 21 d, although doe feed intake was increased. Significant estimates of doe repeatability were obtained for litter size at 21 d, doe feed intake and efficiency and doe weight at kindling. Separate breed group estimates of repeatability for milk production were -.04, .47, .55 and .46 for NN, CC, CN and NC does. Residual correlations revealed that both litter size and weight traits at birth and at 21 d were related (correlations ranging from .48 to .99) to milk production of the dam. Furthermore, litter weight at 21 d was an excellent predictor (r = .99) of the dams' milk production from kindling to 21 d of age of the litter. Doe weight at kindling was lowly related (r = .10), while doe feed intake and efficiency were highly related (correlations of .63 and .81) to milk production.

Footnotes

1 Technical Paper No. 6610, Oregon Agr. Exp. Sta. and USDA Small Farms Project.

2 Current address: Small Livestock Advisor, Heifer Project, Int., Bamenda Station, NW Province, Cameroon, W. Africa.

3 Dept. of Anim. Sci.

5 Lab. Anim. Resources.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1983 by the American Society of Animal Science.