Effect of Non-Genetic Factors and Genetic Groups on Pre-Weaning Growth in Meat Rabbit Breeds

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of breed, year of birth, season and litter size on pre-weaning body weight and average daily gain (ADG) in meat rabbits. A total of 9333 kits born during 2014 to 2024 in 1745 litters belonging to Soviet Chinchilla (SC), Grey Giant (GG), Flemish Giant (FG), Californian White (CW), New Zealand White (NZW), APAU-Fawn (AF) and APAU-Black (AB) breeds/synthetics were included in the study. The overall mean body weights at birth, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of age were 47.37±0.10, 107.70±0.30, 160.89±0.51, 222.70±0.86 and 347.76±0.48 g, respectively. Breed had significant effect (P<0.05) on body weights during the pre-weaning period, except for birth weight. Body weights were significantly higher (P<0.05) in rabbits born between 2014 and 2019 than in 2020 and 2024. Season effects were significantly (P<0.05) higher in body weights and ADG during early growth and winter-born kits. Litter size significantly (P<0.05) influenced both body weight and ADG; kits from small litters were consistently heavier and gained faster than those from medium and large litters. The overall mean ADG at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of age were 8.59±0.04, 7.49±0.07, 8.87±0.09 and 17.58±0.19 g, respectively. Breed and year of birth had limited influence on early ADG, while season and litter size significantly (P<0.05) influenced growth during initial stages. In conclusion, breed, year of birth, season and litter size had varying effects on pre-weaning growth in kits.