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ABSTRACT
The effects of season and months of mating, kindling and weaning as well as effects of breed on some rabbit (Orygtocagus cuniculus) reproductive traits were studied using eighteen primiparous pure bred does comprising of six each of chinchilla, Dutch-belted and New Zealand white breeds of rabbits. The study was conducted within a period of thirteen months (February 2002 to February 2003) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, University Bauchi, research and teaching farm. Results obtained from the study show that season had no significant influence on most of the reproductive traits under investigation. However, a significant (P < 0.001) season of mating effect was found on parturition interval with the early dry season showing the longest (PI = 52.36 days) while late rainy season had the shortest (PI = 42.00 days). Months, which is a finer division of the season, had a significant (P < 0.001) effect on most reproductive traits except gestation length. Season of kindling had significant (P < 0.05) effect on litter weight and partial milk yield at 28 days postpartum. Month of kindling had significant (P = 0.001) effect on almost all traits measured except gestation length and partial milk yield at 14 and 28 days. Season of weaning had some influence (P < 0.05) and (P < 0.001) on the number of kits weaned and partial milk yield at 28 days postpartum. Breed did not have effect on most doe traits but significantly influenced differences in most litter traits. Generally, the results obtained show that the best season that favoured productivity in rabbits in this part of Nigeria is the wet seasons. That was when feeds are abundantly found and temperature is moderately cool. The best and most adaptable breed to this area is the chinchilla. This was based on the superiority the breed had shown over the Dutch-belted and the New Zealand white in most of the traits measured. Sustainability of rabbit production in this part of Nigeria rely purely on how best selection is made in terms of the breed to use and how properly the breeding programme is planned and timed.