Effects of breed, sex, parity, diet and interactions on growth parameters of rabbit fed tiger nut-based diet

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects and interactions of breed (Dutch Belted, Hyla Max, New Zealand White), sex, parity (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and dietary inclusion of dried tiger nut (0, 10, 20, 30 g/kg) on the growth performance and linear body measurements of rabbits over a 52-week period, producing 357 kits. Significant effects and interactions (p < 0.05) were observed on body weight and various morphometric traits (body length, hind limb length, chest girth, height at withers, etc.). At Week 1, New Zealand White rabbits had higher hind leg length (6.07 cm) than Dutch Belted (5.88 cm), and males showed higher body length (19.97 cm) than females (19.02 cm). At Week 5, 30 g/kg tiger nut diet produced the highest body length (26.43 cm), particularly in second-parity offspring. These results emphasize the influence of genetic and nutritional factors on rabbit growth and suggest that moderate supplementation (20–30 g/kg) of tiger nut enhances morphometric development.