Non genetic factors affecting rabbit reproduction in Algeria

Abstract

Environmental variability of reproductive traits has been investigated on a pool of 51 does of different origin in a rabbit breeding unit in Tizi Ouzou region. The objective was to estimate the effects of different factors such as kindling season, parity, physiological state of does, and number born alive on characters such as acceptation rate, conception and kindling rate by female, total born alive, stillborn, litter size at weaning, pre-weaning and post-weaning mortality and weekly litter weights from birth to weaning. Mean bunny weight at birth, at weaning and 70 days of age, litter weight at 70 days of age and total litter gain during lactation have also been considered. Results show that kindling season affects only litter size at weaning with favourable effect of autumn ad spring (7.8 vs 6.6). Highest mean weights at birth are recorded in autumn (16.2 g more than others) and highest litter weights at weaning during the three seasons other than summer (700 g more). The highest mean weight at 70 days is obtained in winter (1.9 Kg). For parity effect, we have recorded the greatest conception and kindling rates at the beginning of reproductive life (98.7 and 96.03% respectively). Other performances did not vary according to this factor. Lactating females at mating had the same acceptation, conception and kindling rate and similar litter sizes as no lactating; however, superior values were obtained for non lactating does for litter size. Moreover, differences due to effect of number born alive on weekly mean weights were significant. However, this effect fades down at 70 days of age.