Effect of parity on the production performance of German Angora rabbits

Abstract

A set of experiinents was conducted, in Oermany Angora rabbits, to evaluate the effect of different parities on their biological and production performances. In first (parity) experiment, 24 females of different parities (9 females of first, 7 of second and 8 of third) and their progenies were used. All the animals were kept individually in iron cages under similar housing and management conditions throughout the experiment. Does were offered the concentrate 140 g d-1 head-1 (280 g d-1 head-1 during lactation) while the progenies 50 g d-1 head-1 from 42 to 84 days and about 80 g d-1 head-1 from 85 to 168 days. roughage and water ad lib. Different parameters recorded in doe (S) were their weights at service and kinding, litter size at birth and Weaning, litter weights at birth and weaning. In progenies, parameters recorded were their weights at 42, 50,84, 125 and 168 days, wool yield at first and second shearing and mortality. The parameters recorded were individual body weights at 42, 50, 84, 125 and 168 days, wool yields nt first and second shearing and mortality. ParitY had significant (P<0.05) effect on the doe weight at kindling, weight of progeny up to 84 days and wool yields at first and second shearing. Other parameters like doc weight at service litter size at birth and weaning. litter weight at birth and weaning were affected positively by parity but non-Significant. Parity had no effect on the mortality from birth to 168 days of age in Angora rabbits.