Reproductive performance of 215 does of pure New Zealand Wbite·1abbits
(NN), pure Californian (CC), two reciprocal crosses (NC& CN), two backerosses (BCN
and BCe) and F2 crossbred were studied. Studied traits were litter size a.t-birt~, 7, 14,
21 days of age and at weaning; litter birth weight; average birth weighlgestation
length; fertility rate; number of services per conception; parturition interval and
mortality rate at 7, 14,21 days of age and at weaning. Doe genetic group effect was
not significant for litter size and mortality rate, except for mortality rate.att1. days of
age. The litter weight at birth varied between 407.4±21.6 and 323.6±18.2 g. The
crossbred CN does had heavier litter weight at birth than other groups. The NC doss
crossbred had heavy average birth weight with increased mortality rate when
compared with other genetic groups. The litter size at weaning was positively and
highly correlated with litter size at birth. The crossbreeds were higher than purebreds
for NSC (P<.05). Parturition intervals were similar for NN and CC breeds. The
mortality rate was low in spring (warm season) and was high in winter (cold season)
indicating that temperature may be important at the phase of young rabbits. Additive
effect had a negative effect on the mortality rate at 21 days of age and at weaning.
For mortality rate at 7 days direct heterosis had positively significant effect. However,
litter size at birth was largely (1.0) rabbits when reared by NN vs CC dams. This
difference increased to 1.2 rabbits at weaning.