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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Morphometric characteristics and carcass yield of composite rabbits as influenced by sex and housing system in Semi-Arid zone Nigeria
Authors
Abdulaziz Ahmad Bature
Abstract
This study was conducted
at Micro-livestock Unit Animal Science Teaching and Research farm, Federal
University Dutsinma. Composites rabbits, comprising of both sexes, were raised
in floor and cage systems of management. Data were collected on Twenty-four (24)
adult rabbits randomly sampled to determine the effects of sex and rearing
systems on body measurements and carcass traits. Data collected were subjected
to statistical analysis. Results obtained on effect on linear body measurements
showed that Rearing method had significant (P<0.05) effect on body weight
and hind-leg length, but showed no significant effect on the BL, HG, AC, EL,
TL, and FL. Values for cage were consistently higher than the floor. Then Sex
had significant (P<0.05) effect on abdominal circumference, but showed no
significant (P>0.05) effect on the BWT, BL, HG, EL, TL, FL and HL. Values
for female rabbits were consistently higher than the males, except in EL were
they have almost equal values (10.38 for female and 10.32 for male). There was
no significant effects on the non-carcass traits measured in rearing except
head and stomach that was significantly (P<0.05) affected and Sex had
significant (P<0.05) effect on kidney and intestine, but showed no
significant effect on the liver, lungs, heart, stomach, head, and skin. Rearing
systems had significant (P<0.05) effects on all the carcass traits measured.
Sex had no significant (P>0.05) effect on all the carcass traits measured.
The result of phenotypic correlation analysis implies that majority of linear
body measurements are good determinants of body weight. The phenotypic
correlations between BWT and other non-carcass measured implies that majority
of the traits have positive relationship. Correlations values among carcass
traits in composite rabbits were high and positive with the highest value
recorded between HC and RUMP (r = 0.99) and the lowest between SHOULDER and RIB
(r = 0.72). Finally PCA further explain 3 PCs that determine the major variable
that contributed in animal development and implies that linear body parameters
can be used to predict body weight as the body weight shown to be the predictor
of the carcass traits and any sex could be used for rabbit meat production.
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Pages:123-129
How to cite this article:
Abdulaziz Ahmad Bature
"Morphometric characteristics and carcass yield of composite rabbits as influenced by sex and housing system in Semi-Arid zone Nigeria". International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 123-129
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