Rational use of the genetic potential of the domestic selection <i>белый великан</i> breed

The article presents the first rank-based, complex scientific development in Russian rabbit breeding. The results of the new rabbit breed creation are given on the basis of rational use of the genetic potential of White Giant rabbits and its improvement. New ways of estimating bucks and does based on a complex of features and modern molecular-genetic methods were developed for the accelerated creation of a new rabbit population. The first of its kind were rank-based evaluation according to rabbits’ maternal instinct, rank-based evaluation according to the rabbits’ complex of maternal traits (maternal instinct, fertility, the number of raised rabbits to weaning, the number of teats, lactation, and the live weight of the litter at birth and weaning), and rank-based evaluation according to the bucks traits complex, which included the reproductive qualities assessment, reproductive ability of mated does, and the micronucleus test’s assessment of the bucks genome stability. The multi-year selection results led to the creation of the new Russian rabbit breed, Velikorodskaya White, which can replace imports. The economic reason for the creation of the highly productive Russian rabbit breed is to ensure the independence of Russian farmers from the supply of imported breeding material.