Prof. Maher Hasab El-Nabi Khalil :: Publications:

A crossbreeding study was carried out in Maryout Experimental Station, Desert Research Center using Gabali (Gab) as a local breed and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits as an exotic one in addition to their two reciprocal crosses to study direct heterosis, maternal additive and direct additive effects in addition to some nongenetic factors on milk production and litter weight traits up to weaning. Means of total milk production from kindling up to 21 days and up to weaning at 35 days were 1330.92±23.29 and 1941.93±33.67 gm, respectively. Litter milk efficiency up to 21 and 35 days were 0.85 and 1.02, respectively. Season of kindling contributed significantly to litter milk efficiency traits. Summer kindling does tended to produce the heaviest milk production litter weight at different ages. Milk production and litter weight traits were not affected significantly by mating group. Crossbreeding between NZW and Gab rabbits though nonsignificant resulted in persistent heterotic effects on milk and litter weight traits studied. Most of doe milk production and litter weight traits were in favour of litters damed by local Gab does as compared to those damed by NZW ones. Direct additive effect on milk production traits was in favour of the crossbred litters sired by NZW bucks.ect on milk production traits was in favour of the crossbred litters sired by NZW bucks.