Three hundred eighty-five growing rabbits representing seven genetic g
roups were evaluated for carcass traits. Both sexes of two parities we
re analysed to determine the effects of straight and cross breeding as
well as parity on carcass traits. Genetic groups were New Zealand Whi
te (NZW), Californian (CA) and German Large White (GLW) as purebreds;
NZW x CA, CA x NZW, GLW x Fl {GLW x (NZW-CA) or GLW x (CA-NZW)} as ter
minal crossbred (TX) and Fl x Fl as crossbreds (buck:doe). At 12-13 we
eks of age live body weight st slaughter (after 24 h fasting) averaged
2488, 2484, 2506, 2505, 2512, 2503 and 2500 g; dressing percentages w
ere 61.2, 61.6, 61.5, 61.5, 61.5, 60.9 and 61.5% respectively. There w
ere not significant differences among genetic groups for dressing perc
entages (total edible parts together). Sex was not important (p less t
han or equal to 0.01) for all traits except offals which increased in
females. Parity as source of variation was not important (P less than
or equal to 0.01) for all traits except skin, feet and loin percentage
s which increased in fryers of 1(st) parity while hind increased in fr
yers of 2(nd) ones. Interactions among main effects were not significa
nt for all traits except some of which differed significantly in main
effects. Direct and maternal heterosis (H-NZW x CA(E) and H-NZW x CA(M
)) were estimated for carcass traits and varied between negligible neg
ative or positive values (except abdominal fat). Regarding crossbreedi
ng effects on carcass yield, it revealed that generally low benefit of
single or double crossbred rabbits.