Eighteen primiparous rabbit does comprising of six per breed of New Zealand White (NZW), Chinchilla (CC) and Dutch Belted (DB). They were randomly allocated to three rebreeding interval groups of 7, 14 and 21 days postpartum. Three breeding males, one per breed were used giving a total of 21 rabbits. Significant (P<0.01) doe milk yield in week two (DMY WK2) was observed on rebreeding interval groups. Twenty one (21) day rebreeding group recorded highest (83.1±4.12 g) followed by seven day rebreeding group (72.4±2.30 g) while fourteen day group had the least (69.2±3.31 g). Doe milk yield variability (P<0.01) was evident on the third week with the 21 day rebreeding group had the highest (89.1±5.67 g) followed by fourteen day rebreeding group (77.4±4.56 g) while 7 day rebreeding group had the least (63.9±3.16 g). Doe milk yield in the fourth week also showed variability due to rebreeding groups. The 21 day rebreed group had the highest (61.1±3.57 g) next by 14 day rebreeding group (57.6±2.87 g) while 7 day group had the least (47.7±1.99 g). Significant doe milk yield week one (P<0.05) and week two (P<0.051) were observed to be affected by parity. In week one, parity 4 had the highest milk yield (79.8±5.03 g) followed by parity 5 (75.9±6.75 g) while parity 1 had the least (51.6±3.42 g). In the second week, milk yield was highest (84.9±8.30 g) in parity 5, followed by parity 4 (76.4±6.19 g) while parity 1 had the least (61.7±5.79 g). It was observed that milk yield of rabbits increase with increase in rebreeding interval as well as with increase in parity. Doe and litter parameters were observed better at increasing rebreeding interval among rabbit breeds.
[1]
J. Akinokun,et al.
REPRODUCTIVE AND BODY WEIGHT PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBITS IN THE HUMID TROPICS OF NIGERIA.
,
2021
.
[2]
A. Orheruata,et al.
Effect of ambient temperature on the reproductive performance of New Zealand white rabbits in Benin Southern Nigeria
,
2010
.
[3]
G. Lobley,et al.
Energy and nitrogen metabolism of rabbits during pregnancy, lactation, and concurrent pregnancy and lactation
,
1986,
British Journal of Nutrition.
[4]
Ravindran,et al.
Some factors influencing reproduction and growth in rabbits.
,
1986
.
[5]
M. Fraga,et al.
The Effects of Diet and Remating Interval after Parturition on the Reproductive Performance of the Commercial Doe Rabbit
,
1986
.
[6]
S. J. Allan,et al.
The effects of reducing the remating interval after parturition on the reproductive performance of the commercial doe rabbit
,
1984
.
[7]
P. Gregory.
The potential and actual fecundity of some breeds of rabbits
,
1932
.
[8]
R. Thébault,et al.
The rabbit: husbandry, health and production. (New revised version)
,
1997
.