Performance of broiler rabbits reared in semi-arid Rajasthan

Data on growth performance, reproduction and kit mortality were analysed for rabbit breeds (Soviet Chinchilla -SC, New Zealand White-NZW, White Giant-WG, Grey Giant-GG and synthetic breed, Black Brown-BB) born between April 2018 and March 2019 at ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar (Rajasthan). The average litter sizes at birth for SC, NZW, WG, GG and BB were 5.85±0.32, 6.71±0.33, 5.75±0.40, 5.62±0.69 and 6.33±0.37, respectively while the average litter sizes at weaning were 5.45±0.31, 6.11±0.35, 5.64±0.40, 5.37±0.72 and 5.85±0.35, respectively. The average litter weights at birth were 352.66±17.31, 399.86±17.66, 364.11±27.83, 365.94±39.25 and 387.58±23.52 g, respectively in SC, NZW, WG, GG and BB, while the corresponding average litter weights at weaning were 2.72±0.16, 3.33±0.19, 3.15±0.23, 3.07±0.46 and 3.21±0.18 kg, respectively. Pre-weaning average daily gains were 15.65, 17.32, 17.54, 18.18 and 17.40 g/day for SC, NZW, WG, GG and BB, respectively while the corresponding post-weaning average daily gains were 21.50, 18.40, 18.40, 20.82 and 20.10 g/d, respectively. The incidences of kit mortality in SC, NZW, WG, GG and BB were 8.56, 5.38, 1.14, 5.81 and 6.74%, respectively. The effect of breed was non-significant for litter sizes at birth and weaning, litter weights at birth and weaning, average daily gains and kit mortality. The study revealed that NZW had higher litter sizes at birth and weaning as compared with other breeds. GG was the fastest growing breed in the pre-weaning period, but SC surpassed other breeds in the performance of growth rate in the post-weaning period. GG had the highest body weight at 84 days, followed by SC. GG was the heaviest breed at mating but, at kindling, WG was the heaviest breed. At both mating and kindling, NZW was the lightest breed. WG breed had higher survival in the kit stage while SC breed had the lowest kit survival.