Phenotypic correlation and carcass traits prediction using live body weight in four genetic groups of rabbit raised in tropical rain - forest zone of Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the phenotypic correlation between live body weight and carcass traits (dress weight, foreleg, thoracic, loin, hind leg and skin) and to predict the weight of carcass parts from live body weight in rabbits. Four genetic groups were involved: two purebreds Chinchilla (CHA) and New Zealand White (NZW) and their reciprocal crossing [CHA sire x NZW dam (CHA x NZW) and NZW sire x CHA dam (NZW X CHA)]. The breeding of these genetic groups generated one hundred and twenty-six kittens. These kittens were raised to maturity (12 weeks) before data on carcass performance were obtained. The parameters studied were live body weight, dress weight, weights of foreleg, thoracic, loin, hind leg and skin. The data obtained from this study were subjected to Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis. The results indicate that live body weight was moderate to high and positively correlated with all the carcass components in the four genetic groups except in NZW x CHA in which body weight was negatively correlated with loin and hind leg (-0.514 and -0.040 respectively) and it was also negatively correlated with thoracic (-0.142) in CHA x NZW. The prediction equations for carcass traits indicate that dress weight, foreleg, thoracic and loin in the four genetic groups were predicted with more accuracy than the prediction of hind leg and skin. The highest R2 (0.828) was recorded in CHA X CHA genetic group for prediction of dressed weight. The actual and computed carcass weights were almost similar which indicate that carcass parts can be predicted from live body weight with accuracy. It was concluded that live body weight can be used as indirect selection criteria for carcass traits in rabbits (dress weight, foreleg, thoracic and loins. This investigation also demonstrates the applicability of regression equation to predict carcass traits in rabbit industry.

Key words: Rabbit, Correlation, Regression, Carcass traits, Genetic group