Comparison of performance of growing rabbits originated from different crossing combinations. 1. Production traits.

The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of dam and sire genotypes on the live performance of growing rabbits. The experiment was carried out at the Kaposvár University. Pannon White and Maternal line does were inseminated with sperm of Pannon White (P), Maternal line (M), Large body line (L), Terminal line of Hycole hybrid (H) or Coloured line (C). M, P and C were medium sized, L and H were large sized genotypes. P and L genotypes were selected for carcass traits by CT. The rabbits were weaned at the age of 5 wk and housed in wire net cages. Daily lighting was 16 h and the temperature 15 to18°C. Rabbits were fed ad libitum a commercial pellet. Water was available ad libitum from nipple drinkers. Examining the dam breed effect, the daily weight gain (+ 5.7 %, P<0.001) and the gain-to-feed ratio (-6.7 %, P=0.004) of the progenies of P does were better, than those of the M does. Examining the sire breed effect, the body weight and the daily weight gain were higher in groups H and L, whereas the progenies of M and C sires were worse. Body weight at 11 wk of age were: H: 2918 g, L: 2793 g, P: 2678 g, C: 2636 g, M: 2585 g (P<0.001). Similar differences were found in daily feed intake. Gain-to-feed ratio did not differ significantly. It was concluded that the live performance of growing rabbits were effected by the adult weight of their parents.