Buck performance in a small rabbitry in Trinidad

Abstract

Performance data was collected on 48 bucks at a small experimental rabbitry during a ten year period 1983-93. The traits studied were fertility, litter size, age at first and last mating, and the duration of service life. Average fertility was 82.6%. Averages for number of kits born total and alive were 5.27 and 5.03, respectively. Means of age at first and last mating, and service life were 8.2, 19.4 and 11.5 mo, respectively. The coefficients of variation for these traits were also given. There was limited scope for improving the fertility of bucks and the litter size of their mates.