Research Article
Dorota Kołodziejczyk, Dorota Elżbieta Weremczuk, Aleksandra Paskudska, Magda Socik, Stanisław Socha
Department of Breeding Methods and Poultry Breeding, University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, B. Prusa 12/14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Abstract. The aim of the study was to analyze the breeding value of selected conformation traits of rabbits of two breeds (Blanc de Termonde and Popielno White), rared on a reproductive farm located in south-eastern Poland. A total of 981 animals were subjected to the study over three consecutive years. The traits that were analyzed included: body weight, body structure (the size of the body expressed in points), type, coat quality, color, specific traits of the breed. Performed ANOVA involved the effects of the breed, calendar year and sex, and showed statistically significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect of the breed on body structure, body weight expressed in points, type and the total score attained by rabbits. The year of license (P ≤ 0.01) statistically significantly affected the body weight expressed in points, the quality of the coat and the type. Correlations were considerably varied. Those between the total score and other analyzed traits were positive, in the range 0.077–0.444, while negative correlations, –0.076 to –0.052, were found between body weight in grams and the quality of the coat as well as between the body weight at points, type and quality of the coat. It should be emphasized that the rabbits subjected to observation and analysis were characterized by good breeding value.
Keywords: rabbits, conformation traits, reproduction farm, breed, breeding value
The domestication of rabbits was started by medieval monks, who kept them for fur in some kind of rabbit pens, or hunting gardens populated with both domesticated and non-domesticated rabbits [Chwastowska-Siwiecka et al. 2011Chwastowska-Siwiecka, I., Kondratowicz, J., Winiarski, R., Śmiecińska, K. (2011). Wartość rzeźna oraz wybrane cechy jakościowe mięsa królików ras mięsnych [Slaughter value and selected meat quality traits of meat rabbit breeds]. Żyw. Nauk. Techn. Ja., 2, 136–147 [in Polish].]. The monks were first to perform genetic selection aimed at obtaining larger individuals. As a result, the emergence of various breeds and types of rabbits has begun [Barabasz and Bieniek 2003Barabasz, B., Bieniek, J. (2003). Króliki. Towarowa produkcja mięsa [Rabbits. Commercial meat production]. PWRiL Warszawa [in Polish].]. Domestication of rabbits led to changes in the anatomical structure of the body, in terms of their size, proportions of individual body parts, color and quality of the coat, as well as metabolism rate. About 120 breeds and variants of rabbits for meat, fur and laboratory purposes have been developed up to the present time [Kołodziejczyk et al. 2016Kołodziejczyk, D., Weremczuk, D.E., Socha, S. (2016). Chów i hodowla królików i szynszyli na fermach wielkotowarowych oraz w hodowlach amatorskich. Monografia [Farming and breeding of rabbits and chinchillas on large-scale production farms and as domestic pets. A monograph]. Wyd. UPH w Siedlcach [in Polish].].
The Blanc de Termonde and Popielno White rabbits belong to medium breeds of high slaughter efficiency and good composition of the carcass. Their body structure is compact, with an elongated trunk with well developed middle and posterior parts. Blanc de Termonde rabbits were brought to Poland in 1978. The breed was obtained through the selection of White Giant rabbits. These animals are characterized by good slaughter performance parameters. At age three months, Blanc de Termonde rabbits are able to attain as much as 2.6 kg, with slaughter efficiency of around 60%. This breed is ideal for the purebred breeding production, but also represents an excellent material for crossbreeding [Warrlich 2012Warrlich, A. (2012). Króliki. Zachowanie, rasy, choroby, pielęgnacja [Rabbits. Behavior, breeds, diseases, care]. Buchmann Warszawa [in Polish].].
By contrast, Popielno White rabbits are a native breed of rabbits. Their name derives from the Experimental Station of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Popielno, where research work on the breed was conducted. The selection was begun in 1950. In 1989, the Popielno White rabbit breed was evaluated for slaughter and genetic value. The genetic resources of the breed has been subject to protection since 1999. Rabbits of this breed are characterized by high fertility, with litters reaching up to 14 kits, and also feature high rates of weaning. Research conducted by Topczewska et al. [2013Topczewska, J., Rogowska, A., Gacek, L.A. (2013). The effect of breed on reproductive performance in commodity rabbit production. JCEA 14(2), 828–835.] on rabbits of the following breeds: Alaska, New Zealand White, Blanc de Termonde, California, Chinchilla Giganta, and Popielno White confirm the high fertility of the latter rabbits. Of the above-mentioned breeds, Popielno White rabbits were characterized by the highest values of reproductive indicators. The authors also showed a strong correlation between the number of live-born rabbits and the body weight of the litter. Young Popielno White rabbits, aged 90 days, can reach a body weight of about 3 kg, with a slaughter efficiency of around 60% [Bielański and Kowalska 2011Bielański, P., Kowalska, D. (2011). Study on the possibility of using the native Popielno White rabbit breed in commercial farming. Ann. Anim. Sci., 2, 309–322., Bielański and Pankowski 2017Bielański, P., Pankowski, P. (2017). Wpływ warunków utrzymania i systemu żywienia na wskaźniki użytkowości rzeźnej królików popielniańskich białych [Effect of housing conditions and feeding system on the slaughter performance indices of Popielno White rabbits]. Rocz. Nauk. PTZ, 13(2), 9–23 [in Polish].].
According to Bielański et al. [2011Bielański, P., Kowalska, D., Wrzecionowska, M. (2011). Wykorzystanie rodzimej rasy królików popielniańskich białych i ich mieszańców do produkcji mięsa [Using domestic Popielno White and their crosses in rabbit meat production]. Rocz. Nauk. PTZ, 3, 67–73 [in Polish].], Popielno White rabbits can be kept as domestic pets, but also farmed commercially for meat, since the carcass quality of this rabbit does not differ significantly from that of the New Zealand White, a popular meat breed.
All domesticated livestock animals undergo systematic breeding work, enabling permanent improvement of their functional characteristics. In the process of breeding and selection, the following stages are distinguished: evaluation of the use and breeding value of animals, selection of individuals for reproduction and mating in order to obtain offspring with the most desirable traits [Kołodziejczyk et al. 2016Kołodziejczyk, D., Weremczuk, D.E., Socha, S. (2016). Chów i hodowla królików i szynszyli na fermach wielkotowarowych oraz w hodowlach amatorskich. Monografia [Farming and breeding of rabbits and chinchillas on large-scale production farms and as domestic pets. A monograph]. Wyd. UPH w Siedlcach [in Polish].].
The performance evaluation of animals is carried out by measuring the phenotype traits that are being improved. The results are then used to assess the breeding value of animals, recognition of herds as breeding stocks and as a criterion for selection and culling.
The aim of the study was to analyze the breeding value of selected conformation traits of the Blanc de Termonde and Popielno White rabbits on a reproductive farm.
Animals that were evaluated came from a breeding rabbit farm located in south-eastern Poland. The farm specializes in managing various breeds, such as New Zealand White, Blanc de Termonde, Alaska, Californian White, Chinchilla Great and Popielno White. The animals are kept in a cage system. The cages are single- or two-storied and made of galvanized steel mesh. The cages satisfy all the animal welfare requirements and legal regulations regarding the living conditions of rabbits [Dziennik Ustaw 2017Dziennik Ustaw (2017). Dz. U. 2017, poz. 127. Obwieszczenie Ministra Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi z dnia 15 grudnia 2016 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu rozporządzenia Ministra Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi w sprawie minimalnych warunków utrzymywania gatunków zwierząt gospodarskich innych niż te, dla których normy ochrony zostały określone w przepisach Unii Europejskiej. [Dz. U. 2017, item 127. Announcement of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of December 15, 2016, on the publication of a uniform text of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development regulation on the minimum conditions for keeping livestock animals other than those for which protection standards have been laid down in European Union legislation]. [in Polish].].
The animals were fed pelleted feed in accordance with the current feeding standards for rabbits [Gugołek 2011Gugołek, A. (2011). Zalecenia żywieniowe i wartość pokarmowa pasz [Nutritional recommendations and feed nutritional value]. Zwierz. Fut. IFiŻZ Jabłonna. [in Polish]].
The study was carried out on 981 animals of two breeds of rabbits (Blanc de Termonde and Popielno White) over the period of three consecutive years. The following characteristics were evaluated: body weight in grams, body weight in points, body structure, type, quality of coat, coat color, specific breed traits and total score for all traits in accordance with the standard of assessment of the breed [Centralna Stacja Hodowli Zwierząt 2000Centralna Stacja Hodowli Zwierząt (2000). Wzorzec oceny pokroju królików [Evaluation standard for rabbits, conformation]. Warszawa [in Polish].]. The age of the animals was in line with the rabbit phenotype assessed standard, i.e. a minimum of 5 months [Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt 2016Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt (2016). Wzorzec oceny fenotypu królików [Standard for rabbit phenotype evaluation]. Warszawa [in Polish].]. For the most part, the rabbits were within the age range from 6 to 8 months.
According to the standard, rabbits can score a maximum of 100 points during the license assessment for the following traits [Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt 2016Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt (2016). Wzorzec oceny fenotypu królików [Standard for rabbit phenotype evaluation]. Warszawa [in Polish].]:
A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was carried out for each of the studied traits. The effect of the factors on the dependent variable was estimated this way. The model included the effects of sex, evaluation year and breed on each conformation trait:
$$Y_{ijkl}= \mu + a_i+ b_j + c_k+ e_{ijkl}$$
where:
\( Y_{ijkl} \) – trait level,
\( \mu \) – population mean,
\( a_i \) – effect of sex,
\( b_j \) – effect of evaluation year,
\( c_k \) – effect of breed,
\( e_{ijkl} \) – error.
Computations were carried out using the SAS package [SAS Institute 2000SAS Institute (2000). SAS User’s Guide. Version 8.0 Edition, SAS Institute Inc., Cary.]. The statistics included means, standards deviations and significance of differences within each source of variability.
Body weight was one of the evaluated traits. A significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect of breed on the body weight in grams was found (Table 1).
A larger mean body weight was attained by Blanc de Termonde rabbits, 4392 g, compared to Popielno White rabbits, 4044 g. Also in the studies of Kmiecik et al. [2016Kmiecik, M., Pałka, S., Kozioł, K., Otwinowska-Mindur, A., Migdał, Ł., Bieniek, J. (2016). Porównanie przyrostów dziennych i masy ciała samic i samców królików ras średnich [Comparing daily gains and body weight in bucks and does of middle rabbit breeds]. Rocz. Nauk. Zoot. 43(2), 183–189 [in Polish].], Blanc de Termonde rabbits were characterized by a significantly higher body weight (at 7, 35, 42, 63 and 84 days of rearing) compared to Californian and Popielno White rabbits. Zawiślak et al. [2015Zawiślak, J., Święcicka, N., Surma, D., Bernacka, H. (2015). Analysis of factors affecting the final body weight in selected rabbit breeds. JCEA 16(2), 28–37.] confirm that Blanc de Termonde is a breed of excellent slaughter performance. The authors investigated the influence of the Blanc de Termonde and New Zealand White breed on the final body weight of rabbits. The highest body mass (2515.13 g) on the 90th day of life was achieved by Blanc de Termonde females.
As had been found by Kmiecik et al. [2016Kmiecik, M., Pałka, S., Kozioł, K., Otwinowska-Mindur, A., Migdał, Ł., Bieniek, J. (2016). Porównanie przyrostów dziennych i masy ciała samic i samców królików ras średnich [Comparing daily gains and body weight in bucks and does of middle rabbit breeds]. Rocz. Nauk. Zoot. 43(2), 183–189 [in Polish].], the sex factor was of little effect on the variable. Despite the fact that there was no significant effect of sex and the year of assessment on the body weight, it should be stated that males exhibited a slightly higher average body weight and the best results were obtained in the second year of the study, 2013 (Table 1).
The value of body weight expressed in grams does not translate to a score attained by the trait of body weight. The standard of rabbit conformation evaluation [Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt 2016Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt (2016). Wzorzec oceny fenotypu królików [Standard for rabbit phenotype evaluation]. Warszawa [in Polish].] established body weight ranges for each breed for the age 8 months and older. A certain score is assigned for attaining body weight of a given range. An animal may obtain maximum 10 points for this trait.
We found that the year of evaluation and the breed had a significant effect (P ≤ 0.01) on the body weight expressed in points (Table 2).
The highest average number of points for body weight was found in animals in the first year of the study, 2012 (9.48), followed by a downward trend in two subsequent years. However, when analyzing the average scores in relation to breed, better results (by 0.5 points) were obtained by the Blanc de Termonde rabbits.
Although there was no significant effect of the sex of rabbits on the body weight expressed in points, it can be noticed that females were characterized by better parameters of this trait. Their average grade for body mass expressed in points was 9.29. This indicates that more females than males received higher scores in the assessment of this trait. This seems to be confirmed by studies conducted much earlier by Ristić [1988Ristić, M. (1988). Einfluss von Geschlecht und Mastengewicht auf den Schlachtkörperwert von Jungmastkaninchen. Proc. From the 6th Symposium on Housing and Diseases of Rabbits, Furbering Animals and Pet Animals, Celle, Germany, 81–88.] or Staliński et al. [1989Staliński, Z., Bieniek, J., Drożyńska, D., Ptak, E., Stobiecka, D. (1989). Wpływ rasy, płci oraz systemu żywienia na wzrost i niektóre cechy użytkowości mięsnej królików [Effect of breed, sex and feeding system on growth abd some meat traits of rabbits]. Pr. Mat. Zootech., 39, 57–72 [in Polish].]. These authors prove that rabbit growth rate depends on sex.
Another analyzed trait was the body conformation of the rabbits. In its assessment, harmony in the animal body structure is the trait focused upon. The maximum score an animal can get for this feature is 20 points [Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt 2016Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt (2016). Wzorzec oceny fenotypu królików [Standard for rabbit phenotype evaluation]. Warszawa [in Polish].].
It has been demonstrated that none of the analyzed sources of variability had a statistically significant effect on the rabbit body structure (Table 3).
It was found that there are some differences in body structure of rabbits of the tested breeds. Slightly higher average assessments of body structure were characterized by the Popielno White breed. The average values of this characteristic for both breeds oscillated at the level of 18 points. The results obtained are similar to those presented by Otulakowski [2011Otulakowski, G. (2011). Analiza genetyczna i fenotypowa cech pokroju i wskaźników rozrodu wybranych ras królików. Rozprawa doktorska [Genetic and phenotypic analysis of conformation and reproduction parameters of selected rabbit breeds. Doctoral dissertation]. UP we Wrocławiu [in Polish].]. The rabbits assessed by this author belonged to different medium meat breeds and, in terms of body conformation, all achieved a low grade, remaining in the range of 16–18 points. Rabbits with a model score for this feature were very rare.
There were slight between-sex differences in the average body conformation grades in favor of males. In terms of the study year, the highest average for body conformation grades occurred in 2013, while the lowest in the last year of the assessment. The score for breed type was significantly influenced by the breed and year of evaluation (Table 4).
Higher average grades for breed type were obtained Blanc de Termonde rabbits, whereas fo the evaluation year, by far the best results were recorded in 2014. It may be a result of properly conducted breeding work.
The quality of coat is evaluated in the range 0–20 points. The quality of the coat consists of: hair density, cover hair length, elasticity and silkiness of the cover. Table 5 shows that the quality of the coat was significantly affected (P ≤ 0.01) only in the year of the evaluation.
The highest average scores were obtained in the first year, whereas the second year of studies proved to be the least favorable. The results are similar to those obtained by Kołodziejczyk et al. [2013Kołodziejczyk, D., Gontarz, A., Socha, S. (2013). Analysis of conformation traits of New Zealand White rabbits on a breeding farm. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootech. 12(4), 17–28.] in their studies conducted on rabbits of other breeds from the same group of medium-sized meat rabbits.
Although the influence of sex on the assessed trait was not statistically significant, it can be seen that males were characterized by higher scores.
Higher average scores of the fur coat quality were attained by the Blanc de Termonde rabbits.
Another trait taken into account was the color of the coat, which depends mainly on the color of guard hair and its shades in different parts of the body. For this trait, animals can get a maximum of 10 points.
The analysis of variance for the color of the coat revealed that none of the considered sources of variability (Table 6) had a statistically significant effect.
Analyzing the means in relation to the sex of rabbits, females scored higher (Table 6). If we loo at the breed, the Blanc de Termonde was better (Table 6). The results are similar to those carried out by Otulakowski [2011Otulakowski, G. (2011). Analiza genetyczna i fenotypowa cech pokroju i wskaźników rozrodu wybranych ras królików. Rozprawa doktorska [Genetic and phenotypic analysis of conformation and reproduction parameters of selected rabbit breeds. Doctoral dissertation]. UP we Wrocławiu [in Polish].], who claimed that Blanc de Termonde was the breed with the highest percentage of individuals achieving the champion’s score for the coat color.
Another evaluated traits involved specific breed traits (including color of the down, eyes and claws). This trait can score a maximum of 20 points [Centralna Stacja Hodowli Zwierząt 2000Centralna Stacja Hodowli Zwierząt (2000). Wzorzec oceny pokroju królików [Evaluation standard for rabbits, conformation]. Warszawa [in Polish].]. All the evaluated animals scored 20 points, hence the trait did not required any detailed statistical analysis.
As far as the total score is concerned, Blanc de Termonde achieved better results than the Popielno White rabbits. As can bee seen in Table 7, the differences between the breeds were significant in this respect.
The highest total score was achieved by the rabbits evaluated in the first year of the study. In the followinf two years, the scores were lower and remained at a similar level. In order to improve the total scores (overall assessment), the selection for the desired traits should be intensified.
Table 8 presents the general statistical characteristics of the analyzed traits. It shows that the rabbit breeds tested were characterized by the general average of the analyzed traits at the level of 93.12 points, which corresponds to the grade “good” [Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt 2016Krajowe Centrum Hodowli Zwierząt (2016). Wzorzec oceny fenotypu królików [Standard for rabbit phenotype evaluation]. Warszawa [in Polish].]. The obtained results correspond with the results of Kowalska [2016Kowalska, D. (2016). Króliki popielniańskie białe – stan hodowli w Polsce [Popielno White rabbits – status of their breeding and selection in Poland]. Wiad. Zootech. R. LIV, 2, 96–105 [in Polish].] and Zawiślak et al. [2016Zawiślak, J., Święcicka, N., Bernacka, H. (2016). Wyniki oceny pokroju zwierząt futerkowych hodowanych na polskich fermach objętych oceną wartości użytkowej i hodowlanej w latach 2010–2014 [Results of evaluation of fur-bearing animals farmed in Poland included in the production and genetic value appraisal in 2010–2014]. Wiad. Zootech., R. LIV, 2, 16–22 [in Polish].]. In the research of the former author on Popielno White rabbits, animals attained an average assessment of the conformation at the level of 93.6–93.9 points, which correspond to grades “good” and “very good”. Zawiślak et al. [2016Zawiślak, J., Święcicka, N., Bernacka, H. (2016). Wyniki oceny pokroju zwierząt futerkowych hodowanych na polskich fermach objętych oceną wartości użytkowej i hodowlanej w latach 2010–2014 [Results of evaluation of fur-bearing animals farmed in Poland included in the production and genetic value appraisal in 2010–2014]. Wiad. Zootech., R. LIV, 2, 16–22 [in Polish].] showed that most rabbits received “good” and “very good” (93–95 points); their percentage reached 70.1%.
Table 9 shows phenotypic correlations of the conformation traits of the analyzed rabbit breeds. The calculated phenotypic correlations between the total score achieved and other traits were at the level from 0.077 to 0.62 and proved to be statistically significant. A negative and very low correlation was found in the relationship between body weight (in g) and the quality of the coat. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be stated that conducting selection towards body weight improvement may deteriorate the quality of coat. Low and negative correlations also occurred between the body weight expressed in points and the quality of coat (Table 9), which confirms that selection for weight may affect the coat quality. In addition, the breed type may deteriorate, too. However, improving the quality of the coat may adversely affect the body weight of rabbits.
Received: 10 Nov 2018
Accepted: 28 Dec 2018
Published online: 22 Mar 2019
Accesses: 914
Kołodziejczyk, D., Weremczuk, D.E., Paskudska, A., Socik, M., Socha, S., (2015). Analysis of conformation breeding value of Blanc de Termonde and Popielno White rabbits on a reproductive farm. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 17(4), 13–20. DOI: 10.21005/asp.2018.17.4.02.