Predictability of live body weights of locally adapted rabbit kits using their linear body measurements

Abstract

Records of linear body measurements and body weights of rabbits kept at the Rabbit unit of the University of Cape Coast Teaching and Research farm were used to determine the relationship and predictability of live weights of locally adapted rabbit kits at different ages. Data were analysed using both simple linear and multiple regression models with Minitab statistical software. The mean body weights of kits at 6, 10 and 14 weeks were 723.4±0.09, 1333.0±30.8 and 1871.9±31.9 grams, respectively. Low to high correlations exited between body weight and many of the linear body measurements of kits at ages 6, 10 and 14 weeks. The R² of linear regressive models were relatively higher at 10 weeks compared to 6 and 14 weeks. Heart girth (HG) and height at withers (HW) were relatively better predictors of kits’ body weight. Multiple regression equations recorded higher R² than simple regression equations with the R² ranging from 41.5 to 66.9%. It is recommended that simple regression equations using HW and HG should be used in predicting the body weights of rabbit kits as they are relatively more reliable to use by rural rabbit producers and farmers.