Reproduction performances , growth and slaughter traits analysis of rabbit of Nitra breed

Received: 2018-05-11 | Accepted: 2018-05-14 | Available online: 2018-11-26 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2018.21.04.162-165 The aim of the research was to analyse the Rabbit of Nitra in terms of its reproduction and production performance. All rabbits used for research were raised within a home environment (4 breeding sources). The research was focused on reproduction parameters (the number of live born kits, the number of weaned kits), growth parameters – growth performance (1 st day, 21 st day, 42 nd day to 119 th day), slaughter parameters (dressing out percentage, the weight of individual parts of carcass body). Detected live weight in adult males weight was 5291.48 ±546.39 g. In adult females average live weight was 4623.10 ±458.41 g. The weight of live born pups of rabbits on day 1 was 57.84 ±1.08 g, weight on 21 st day 310.09 ±7.21 g, weight on 42 nd day from 1034.26 ±50.70 g up to 1128.13 ±30.78 g, 77 th day from 2126.48 ±85.49 g up to 2243.70 ±47.07 g and 91 th day from 2379.29 ±31.22 g up to 2653.53 ±37.86 g. An average dressing out percentage was 62.47±0.23%.  Keywords: dressing performance, growth performance, meat production performance, rabbits References Bianospino, E., Wechsler, F.S., Moura, A.S.A.M.T., Fernandes, S. (2004) Growth traits and dressing percentage of straightbred and crossbred rabbits. In: Proceeding 8th World Rabbit Congress. [Online] Available at: https://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2004 Puebla/Papers/Meat%20Quality/Q-Bianospono-2.pdf [Accessed 1 September 2017]. Bizkova, Z., Tůmova, E. (2009) Evaluation of rabbit meat yield.  Maso, 20 (5), 48-50. Blasco, A., Ouhayoun, J. (1996) Harmonization of criteria and terminology in rabbit    meat research. Revised proposal. 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Introduction
The Rabbit of Nitra is the 3 rd Slovak national breed.The goal was to create a white rabbit for traditional homefarming and for intense-farming also.Three basic breeds were used in the process of breeding.In the first step were used Argente de Champagne and Himalayan rabbits.By coincidence, at that time, the Californian rabbits were imported into the territory of Slovakia and were involved in process of breeding as a third breed.In an attempt to characterize the two rabbit breeds (Rabbit of Nitra -Ni and Zobor Rabbit -Zo) concerning the shift on the genetic level Vašíčková et al. (2016) studied microsatellite and genetic markers associated with coat color.This authors described, that overall population size of Ni and Zo rabbit breeds is very low.Stability of these two breeds is constantly eroded by cross-breeding efforts.The aim of the research was to analyse (selected utility properties) the Slovak national breed -Rabbit of Nitra.

Materials and methods
The data for the analysis were obtained (data was collected between 2016 and 2018) from four homefarming holdings (fancy breeders) of the Rabbit of Nitra.
The animals were stabled in outdoor wooden warrens with a compact floor and straw.Composition of the feed dose: hay, complete feed mixture + barley (50 : 50%) and water.We monitored growth parameters, reproduction parameters and slaughter parameters.Weighing was done on scales with an accuracy of 1 g.The rabbits were slaughtered at a relatively old age (91-119 days) and high body weight (2,785-3,612 g) because this is typical for small studs (home-farming).The carcass was processed according to the methodology reported by Blasco-Ouhayoun (1996).For statistical analyses the computer program Microsoft Excel has been used.

Results and discussion
Weight of the Rabbit of Nitra 1 st day was 57.84 ±1.08 g and 21 st day after birth 310.09 ±7.21 g.Number of live born kits in litter (41 litters) was 6.88 ±0.28.Number of dead born kits in litter was 0.09 ±0.06.Number of weaned kits in litter was 5.98 ±0.29.Topczewska et al. (2013) showed the effect of breed on reproductive performance.These authors found the litter size 6.27 kits in the Californian breed and 8.49 in Popielno white.Kits weight at 35 day of age ranged from 603.21g (Alaskan) to 736.10g (Giant Chinchilla).Average live weight in adult males (31 pcs) over 12 months of age was 5,291.48±546.39 g (3,740 to 5,862 g).In adult females (38 pcs) over 10 months of age, average live weight was 4,623.10±458.41 g (3,820 g to 5,352 g).
Dalle Zotte (2002) described perception of rabbit meat quality and major factors influencing the rabbit carcass and meat quality.The quality of the rabbit carcass defines (Dalle Zotte, 2000).All these features should reach a certain level to accomplish the economic aim, especially in broiler rabbit farming, but also in some minor breeding conditions (Bianospino et al., 2004).Mach et al. (2006) mention for broiler rabbits a dressing out percentage 58%.Jenisová (2013) came in broiler rabbits from home-farming holdings slaughtered between 2,470-3,425 g to dressing out percentage 54.89-55.18%.Dressing out percentage 57.03-60.81%detected Šmehýl (2010).The closest values to our recognized Dokoupilová et al. (2006), an average dressing out percentage 61.81%with genotype includes 75% of traditional breeds and 25% of broiler rabbits.Skřivanová et al. 2000 found out an average dressing out percentage from 60.9% for Zika rabbits to 62.4% for HY2000 rabbits.Bízková and Tůmová (2009) detected an average dressing out percentage for medium breeds of rabbits 59.50%.They also detected thighs percentage from the carcass body 31.30%.Back

Conclusions
Results of the study show the data of Rabbit of Nitra national breed.The preliminary data of fertility and growth revealed that Rabbit of Nitra is breed which may be a source of traits suitable for meat production, especially for traditional rabbit breeds (home-farming).
On the other hand, there is the need for further studies of all production characteristics Slovak national rabbit breeds.

Table 1
Slaughter parameters of the Rabbit of Nitra