The Influence of Seasons on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Hyla Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in South West, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Osun State University, Ejigbo Campus. Sixteen females and eight males of average 2500g ± 100g were used in the study. They were subjected to four seasons of a year: S1 (late rain), S2 (early dry), S3 (late dry) and S4 (early rain). Data collected were: conception weight gain (CWG), litter birth weight (LBW), average birth weight (ABW), average weaning weight (AWW), average weight at 12th week (AW12), litter weaning weight (LWW) and litter weight at 12th week (LW12). Others were: gestation length (GL), litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW) and litter size at 12th week (LS12), litter (%) at weaning (LW%) and litter (%) at 12th week (L12%), mortality (%) at weaning (MW%) and mortality (%) at 12th week (M12%) including number of mating per conception (NMC) and still birth (SB). Data obtained were laid out to one-way analysis of variance and significant treatment means p < 0.05 were separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test. Result displayed that LBW, LWW, LW12, AWW and AW12 were higher (p<0.05) at S1. LSB, LSW, LS12 and M12% were higher (p<0.05) in S1 and S2. In conclusion, S1 and S2 had positive influence on the LBW, LWW, LW12, AWW, AW12, LSB, LSW and LS12 of Hyla rabbit kits. Therefore, the breeders should expect the better performance in late rain (S1) and early dry (S2) seasons in Hyla rabbit breed as environmental conditions are very favourable in these periods.