Breeding of a specific male line for Fujian yellow rabbit

To breed a specific male line,255 pure bred Fujian yellow rabbits(30 male and 225 female animals) were selected according to the individual composite index in the animal’s family population.The results showed that the rabbit’s body weights at the ages of 4-,10-and 13-week in the 3rd generation were higher than those in the 1st generation(P0.01).The body weight increase ranged from 7.4%to 13.2%.The average daily weight gains of the males and female rabbits,at the ages of 4 to 13 weeks,in the 3rd generation were 17.55g and 18.25g,respectively, representing 9.6%and 12.4%,respectively,higher than those in the 1st generation(P0.01).The rabbit’s body length,chest girth,ear length and ear width at the age of 13-week in the 3rd generation were 3.1%to 13.7%greater than those in the 1st generation.The coefficients of variation on body weight decreased,as compared to those for the 1st generation.The coefficients of variation on body length,chest girth,ear length and ear width at the age of 13-week were lower than 12%for both generations.The body size and appearance of the rabbits in the 3 generations were uniform.No significant differences was found on the numbers of newborn,nor the body weights of the male and female rabbits at the age of 13-week,in 3 generations.