Estimation of genetic parameters for post-weaning body weights in New Zealand White rabbits reared under agroclimatic conditions of Sikkim

Data on 403 progenies of 41 sires of New Zealand White rabbits on body weig hts at different ages during postweaning period were used to study the gene tic and phenotypic parameters. The analysis of variance showed nonsignifica nt effects of season of birth, sex and sire on body weight at different age s except the 8- week-body weight which was significantly (P pound 0.05) hig her in season 2 than that in season 1. Linear regression of weight on litte r weight at weaning was significant (P pound 0.05) for 6- week-body weight. Effect of dam/sire was also significant (P pound 0.01) for all the body we ight traits. The average body weight of rabbits ranged from 0.53+/-0.01 to 1.94+/-0.03 kg from 6 to 24 weeks of age. The estimates of heritability for these traits ranged from 0.18+/-0.14 to 0.38+/-0.18, 0.73+/-0.22 to >1.00 and 0.36+/-0.11 to 0.99+/-0.12 from sire, dam and sire+dam components, resp ectively. The positive and high genetic and phenotypic correlations between most of body weights were also observed.