– Genetic and Physiological Evaluation of Hyla Rabbits in Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria –
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ABSTRACT
106 grand-parent Hyla rabbits of New Zealand (NZW) and California (CAW) breeds were imported from France consisting of 22 bucks of 11 NZW line (HYLA.GPC) and 11 CAW line (HYLA.MAX) and 84 does of NZW line (HYLA.NG).
They were mated naturally to produce two genetic groups consisting of 205 and 192 kits for Hyla purebred and crossbred respectively. 20 non-descript rabbits consisting of 12 old and 8 grower rabbits were used as a control for the physiological evaluation.
Adaptability index was found to be proportionately moderate in Hyla New Zealand grand-parent (HNZW), Hyla California grand-parent (HCAW) and old non-descript (OND) (0.37, 0.36 and 0.39) respectively.
However values obtained for the F1 progeny lines and grower non-descript were 0.34, 0.33 and 0.35 for Hyla New Zealand (HNP), Hyla New Zealand X Californian (NCP) and grower non-descript (GND). Genetic groups for both grand-parent and its FI progeny rabbits had significant (P < 0.05) influence on body-weights at all ages.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover page – – – – – – – – – i
Title page – – – – – – – – – ii
Declaration – – – – – – – – – iii
Certification – – – – – – – – – iv
Dedication – – – – – – – – – v
Acknowledgment – – – – – – – – vi
Table of contents – – – – – – – – vii
List of tables – – – – – – – – – xiii
List of figures – – – – – – – – xv
List of abbreviations – – – – – – – – xvi
Abstract – – – – – – – – – xix
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION – – – – – – – 1
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – – – 4
2.1 Historical Origin of Rabbits – – – – – – 4
2.2 Biological Description of Rabbits – – – – – – 4
2.3 Rabbit Breeds – – – – – – – – 5
2.3.1 New Zealand White Breed – – – – – – 5
2.3.2 Californian Breed – – – – – – – 6
2.3.3 Chinchilla Breed – – – – – – 6
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS- – – – – – – 24
3.1 Location of the Study Area – – – – – – 24
3.2 Experimental Animals and Management – – – – – 24
3.3 Experimental Mating Plan – – – – – – 25
3.4 Data Collection – – – – – – – – 28
3.4.1 Meteorological Data of the Rabbitry Microclimate – – – 28
3.4.2 Thermoregulatory Parameters Measurement – – – 28
3.4.3 Adaptability Estimation – – – – – – 29
3.5 Breeding data estimation – – – – – – – 29
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS – – – – – – – – 36
4.1 Temperature Humidity Index – – – – – – 36
4.1.1 Thermoregulatory Response of Hyla Grand-parent and Old Non
Descript Rabbits – – – – – – – – 38
4.1.2 Thermoregulatory Responses of Hyla F1 Progeny and Grower Non
Descript Rabbits – – – – – – – 40
4.1.2.1 Circadian Rhythm – – – – – – – 42
4.1.2.2 Sexual Dimorphism- – – – – – – – 44
4.1.2.3 Adaptability Indices – – – – – – – 46
4.3 Growth and Reproductive performance of Hyla rabbits – – – 48
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 DISCUSSIONS – – – – – – – – 66
5.1 Thermoregulatory Activities- – – – – – – 66
5.2 Growth Performance of Hyla Rabbits- – – – – – 68
5.2.1 Growth Performance of the Grand-Parent Hyla Rabbits- – – 68
5.2.2 Growth Performance of F1 Progeny Rabbits- – – – 68
5.3 Reproductive Performance- – – – – – – 69
5.3.1 Reproductive Performance of Purebred and Crossbred Hyla Rabbits- 69
5.3.2 Effect of Parity on Reproductive Traits – – – – 71
5.4 Genetic Parameters for Pre-weaning Body weight – – – 72
5.4.1 Heritability Estimates of Preweaning Kits Weight – – – 72
CHAPTER SIX
6.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION – 77
6.1 Summary – – – – – – – – 77
6.2 Conclusions – – – – – – – – 79
6.3 Recommendations – – – – – – – 80
REFERENCES – – – – – – – 81
INTRODUCTION
Rabbits can be considered as one of the several species quite suitable for meat production. They are characterized by quality protein (20 – 21 % CP) with high biological value amino acids, meat low in calories and fat, prolificacy, short gestation length, initial capital outlay, great genetic flexibility, highly unsaturated lipids
(60 % of the total fatty acids), valuable animal model for biomedical research, low sodium and cholesterol. It is considered a delicacy for healthy food products (Dalle Zotte, 2002). However, the most obvious limitation to rabbit production in regions with hot climate is the susceptibility of this species to heat stress.
Heat stress, as indicated by elevated body temperature, occurs when environmental extremes, acute or chronic, lead to alteration in the rate of heat production and body temperature (Freeman, 1988). It occurs when animals are exposed to high ambient temperatures (30 – 39.5 oC), high humidity (60 – 90 %),
low wind speed and high direct and indirect solar radiation (Willmer et al., 2000). The importation of domestic animal diversity is essential to meet future needs in Nigeria due to the quest for protein sufficiency.
Also, this will be a suitable way to improve performance of our local rabbits by introducing purebred exotic rabbits with high growth and reproductive potentials. In semi-intensive and intensive systems, the rearing of more productive rabbit breeds could be a suitable path to improve the productivity and reduce the production cost.
Imported populations such as Hyla rabbits are usually bigger in size, have rapid growth, great adaptability, better reproductive efficiency and disease resistance. Hamouda et al. (1990) reported that Hyla rabbits are productive breeds used in many crossbreeding programs for genetic improvement.
REFERENCES
Abdel Azeem, A.S. (2006). A study of physiological and performance aspects in four pure breeds of rabbits and their crosses. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt. Pp 94.
Abdullah, A.R., Sokunbi, O.A., Omisola, O.O. and Adewunmi, M.K. (2003). Interrelationship between body weight and body linear measurements in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In: Nigerian Livestock: A Goldmine for Economic Growth and Food Security. Taiwo, A.A, Raji, A.M, Ogbonna, J.U and Adebowale, E.A.Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan, Nigeria. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production, 16th – 20th March, Pp 133-136.
Aboul-Naga, A.I. (1987). The role of aldosterone in improving productivity of heat-stressed farm animals with different techniques. Ph.D. Thesis. Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Adenkola, A.Y., Ayo, J.O. and Sackey, A.K.B. (2009). Ascorbic acid-induced modulation of rectal temperature in pigs during harmattan season. Journal of Thermal Biology, 34 (3): 152-154.
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