Breeding Intervals and Parity Order's Effects on Hyla Rabbits' Growth and Reproductive Parameters in Southwest Nigeria

A study was carried out in southwestern Nigeria to assess the impact of breeding intervals and parity order on the growth and reproductive capabilities of Hyla rabbits. The study involved twenty-four adult rabbits, with an average weight of 2600 ± 100g, consisting of eight males and sixteen females. In a completely randomized design, four rabbits per treatment were assigned at random to the four experimental treatments: T1 (two-week), T2 (four-week), T3 (six-week), and T4 (eight-week) breeding intervals. A doe served as a replicate for each treatment, and each treatment had four parities (P1-P4). The number of matings per conception (NMC) was decreasing (p < 0.05) as the breeding interval and parity were increasing. Conception weight gain week 1 (70.50), week 2 (66.67), and week 3 (93.50) were higher (p < 0.05) in T3. Litter weight at birth (304.80g), weaning (2576.40g), and 12th week (5494.55g); average weight at weaning (546.75g) and 12th week (1318.30g); and litter size at birth (5.60) and at 12th week (4.10) were higher (p < 0.05) in T3. Litter weight at birth (324.38), at weaning (2684.00), and the 12th week (5668.00), average weight at weaning (537.00g) and the 12th week (1337.00g) were higher (p < 0.05) in P3. In addition, litter size at birth (6.10), weaning (5.50), and the 12th week (4.25) were higher (p < 0.05) in P3. However, litter at weaning (94.90) and the 12th week (85.10) were higher (p < 0.05) in P4. While mortality in both weaning (20.42) and the 12th week (32.89) was higher in P2. NMC, gestation length, and average weight at birth, litter size at weaning and stillbirth were not affected by breeding interval and parity, respectively. In conclusion, does T3 performed better in growth and reproductive parameters measured. Parity order increased from first to third before declining, except in litter, at weaning and the 12th week, where it increased up to P4. Therefore, a six-week breeding interval up to third parity was recommended to rabbit keepers for more favourable production, especially on a commercial scale.