Comparative prediction analysis of body weight from biometric traits in F1 New Zealand White purebred and its California cross bred rabbits

Abstract

One hundred and forty four (144) F1 New Zealand White purebred and New Zealand White x California crossbred rabbits at eight weeks old were used to estimate bodyweight from body measurements using regression analyses. Ten biometric measurements were made on each individual animal. New Zealand White x California crossbred were superior (P<0.05) to the New Zealand White purebred for bodyweight but biometric measurements were not statistically significant (P>0.05) between the two breed types. Phenotypic correlations were found to be positive and significance (P<0.01) for both genotypes. The regression analysis was more sensitive in New Zealand White x California crossbred (R2=0.85-0.91) compared to New Zealand White purebred (R2=0.84-0.89). In conclusion, body weight could be predicted from biometric measurements for both genotypes accurately using tape measures.