Effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on post-weaning body weights and carcass traits of broiler rabbits*

Data on post weaning body weights from 6 to 16 weeks of age at biweekly intervals and carcass traits (dressing percentage and head, feet, pelt, edible and non-edible offals and fore, mid and hind cut percentages) at 16 weeks of age. collected on New Zealand White (NZW). Grey Giant (GG), Soviet Chinchilla (SC). Flemish Giant (FG) and their F1 crosses generated under a diallel cross experiment, were analyzed. The overall least square mean body weights were 496.27, 689.57, 862.98, 1051.97, 1223.06 and 1391.34 g at 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks of age respectively. Season of birth and litter size at birth had significant effect on body weights at all ages studied, while sex of the bunny had no significant effect Genetic group affected the body weights at 6, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks of age significantly. The heterosis was highest in GG × FG genetic group. General combining ability effects were significant (P<0.01) and the highest in FG purebred group, while the specilic combining ability effects were significantly highest in GG × FG genetic group. The correlations between body weights were positive and significant (P<0.01), Season of birth significantly affected all the carcass traits, except the feet and hind cut percentages. Sex of bunny influenced the head, feet and fore cut percentages only Effect of genetic group was significant on head and fore cut percentages. Estimates of heterosis were low. The general combining ability and specific combining ability effects for head and fore cut percentages were significant.