Evaluación de los índices reproductivos de cruzamientos comerciales en conejos (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the reproductive indices of commercial crosses in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The experiment used 24 female rabbits of three different breeds: New Zealand (NZ), Butterfly Giant (GM) and Flemish Giant (GFL), as well as two New Zealand (NZ) males. All animals were within specific age ranges of 6 to 7 months and weight of 400 to 500 g. For the statistical analysis, a “Completely Randomized Design” (DCA) was used due to the homogeneity of the treatments. The response variables were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to identify significant differences. For the comparison of means, the Duncan statistical test was used (p≤ 0.05). All statistical analyzes were carried out using Infostat software, version 2019. Maternal ability was evaluated by collecting all the reproductive indices of the crosses, in order to determine whether the does have outstanding or poor maternal ability. The results showed that the NZ x GFL cross had the highest number of live-born kits (7.00), unlike the two treatments that had lower results such as NZ x NZ (6.38) and NZ x GM (6.00). ,35). Furthermore, the NZ x GFL cross showed lower mortality at birth at 1%, compared to 4% for NZ x NZ and 6% for NZ x GM. In terms of weaning mortality, NZ x GFL also had the lowest rate at 5%, followed by NZ x NZ at 10% and NZ x GM at 12%. Additionally, the number of weaned kits was higher in NZ x GFL (6.63) and NZ x GM (5.75), compared to NZ x NZ (5.5). On the other hand, weaning weight was significantly higher in NZ x GM 286.75 g than in NZ x GFL 283.13 g and NZ x NZ 262.13 g. In conclusion, the NZ x GFL cross optimizes the survival and growth of young rabbits, demonstrating superior maternal ability and being recommended as a cross to improve reproductive rates.