Reproductive performance in purebred and crossbred commercial rabbits

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Abstract
The reproductive performance of does of New Zealand White (N) and Californian (C) strains of rabbit was compared with that of the two reciprocal crosses, C × N and N × C (sire × dam). Both types of crossbred doe showed a reproductive performance superior to the purebred strains, having both a higher conception rate and mean litter size at birth. C × N, N × C, N and C does reared on average 6·6, 7·4, 5·0 and 4·9 pups to weaning age respectively. Expressed in terms of an estimated annual production of weanlings the N × C does produced nearly twice as many progeny to 4 weeks of age as the purebreds N and C (37 pups cf. 21 and 19 pups respectively). Total losses prior to weaning were approximately 25% in all breeds, largely from stillbirths, and subsequent chilling and/or starvation in the nest (36% and 38% of diagnosed deaths respectively). Other contributory factors are discussed.

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