Evaluation of breeding performance of a local Algerian rabbit population raised in the Tizi-Ouzou area (Kabylia).

Abstract

A total of 287 females of a local Kabylian population of rabbits were studied at the University of Tizi-Ouzou (Algeria) over 6 years. The females were mated for the first time at the age of 4.5 months and remated 10-12 days after parturition. The females were characterized by a medium to small adult weight (2.81±0.38 kg) and a rather low prolificacy at birth and weaning (7.2±2.5 total born, 6.1±3.0 born alive and 5.4±2.3 weaned). Based on the registration of 1377 mating attempts, acceptance of mating and conception rates were 74.3±3.8% of presented does and 73.3±4.3% of mated does respectively. The Algerian hot summer season did not seem to affect parameters of practical importance such as fertility or litter size at weaning. The only significant effect (P<0.01) was a reduction of litter weight at weaning (-13%) compared with the average of the 3 other seasons (2070 vs 2368 g at 28 days). Acceptance and conception rates were not significantly affected by mating number. At first parturition, total number of kits (6.6/litter) was significantly lower than that of multiparous does (7.3 to 7.4), and individual birth weight of first litter kits was 10% lower than that observed for subsequent litters (51.4 g on average). On the other hand, it must be emphasised that for this sample of the Kabylian population, the kit's individual weight at weaning did not vary significantly with parturition number. Birth to weaning mortality was the lowest for parturition of rank 4 and more (9.8% vs 14.4 to 16.9% for previous ones).

Reproductive performance of male rabbits of algerian local population

“…The kindling season had no significant effect on the litter size and litter weight at birth. Nevertheless, it influenced the mean individual weight of kits at weaning, which was higher when they were born in winter, as previously shown by Zerrouki et al (2005a). The higher individual kit weight in winter could be explained by a better body condition and a greater food intake of does in this season.…”

“…In recent years, several works have examined the reproductive traits of Algerian local population does (Berchiche et al, 2000;Zerrouki et al, 2001Zerrouki et al, , 2002Zerrouki et al, , 2005a, but no study has been done on the local male rabbit. Male rabbits are undoubtedly the basis of reproductive success, given that farm profitability depends not only on the female's fertility but also upon the buck.…”

Evaluation of milk production of a local Algerian rabbit population raised in the Tizi-Ouzou area (Kabylia).

“…The rabbit does used in this study were descended from males and females of the local rabbit population collected from farms in the Tizi-Ouzou (Kabylia region) in 1998 and managed in a closed population with one generation per year (ZERROUKI et al, 2004). The 299 lactations analysed in the study were obtained from 116 does, corresponding to 5 generations: 20 to 32 does gave usable data for each generation.…”

The effects of the complete replacement of barley and soybean meal with hard wheat by-products on diet digestibility, growth and slaughter traits of a local Algerian rabbit population.

“…Eighty one mixed-sex rabbits from a local Algerian population (Lakabi et al, 2004;Zerrouki et al, 2004Zerrouki et al, , 2005Zerrouki et al, , 2007 weaned at 28 d of age and weighing 501±72 g (mean±1 SD) were assigned to the three experimental groups (27 rabbits/diet) according to weaning weight and litter origin. Rabbits were housed in individual wire mesh cages arranged in flat deck disposition and were fed the experimental diets ad libitum (without any transition period from mother's diet to experimental diet) from weaning to the end of the experiment at 11 weeks of age.…”