Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Growth and Feed Efficiency Traits in two Commercial Lines.

Abstract Text: Genetic parameters of growth and feed efficiency were estimated in two rabbit commercial lines. Heritability estimates for growth traits were low to moderate, and slightly higher in the AGP39 line than in the AGP59 line due to slightly higher common litter environment effects. Heritability estimates of feed efficiency were slightly higher in the AGP59 line than in the AGP39 line (0.40 and 0.42 for feed conversion ratio; 0.29 and 0.33 for residual feed intake (RFI), respectively). In the AGP39 line, RFI was genetically independent from weaning weight, body weight at 63 days and average daily gain, whereas in the AGP59 line, RFI tended to be unfavourably correlated with body weight at 70 days and average daily gain. In both lines, RFI was positively correlated with feed conversion ratio (about 0.87±0.03), suggesting good opportunity for improving feed efficiency with RFI.

Keywords: rabbit, growth, feed efficiency, genetic parameters