The Effects of Rebreeding Intervals on the Performance Characteristics of Doe (Rabbits)

An investigation was conducted to determine the effects of rebreeding intervals on the performance characteristics of doe. The experiments was designed to test three rebreeding intervals - 7 day-, 14 day - and 21 day intervals with a view to identifying the optimum breeding interval with respect to the following economic traits - body weight changes during pregnancy, litter weight, litter size, percentage still birth and pregnancy rates. A total of 30 does and 6 bucks of Newzealand White and California crossbreeds were procured for the experiment. Ten does were randomly placed in each of the three treatments groups and each treatment group was replicated thrice. The data collected on the parameters were subjected to statistical analysis using S.A.S package. Result obtained indicated that the weekly mean weights of doe during pregnancy were significantly (P< 0.05) higher in TI (7- d rebreeding intervals) than in all other treatment groups. Results further indicated that the mean litter weights, mean litter size, percentage stillbirths and pregnancy rates were significantly (P< 0.05) higher in does placed on treatment 1 (7 d intervals). Based on these results, therefore, the farmers should be advised to adopt this rebreeding interval in order to maximize the productivity of their rabbits (does) provided efforts are made to reduce the high percentage stillbirths associated with this rebreeding interval.