Distribution and Morphometric Characteristics of Domesticated Rabbit Breeds in North Rift and Western Regions, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2200/aerj.v5i1.52Keywords:
Domesticated Rabbit, Distribution, Morphometric CharacteristicsAbstract
Rabbits (Otyctolagus cuniculus) occur throughout the world with their breeds distinctively identified phenotypically by coat color, body size and shape. The common rabbit breeds in Kenya are New Zealand White, Californian White, Flemish Giant, French Ear Lop, Chinchilla, Angora, Kenya White and their crosses. The present study was designed to assess morphometric characteristics of rabbit breeds in North and Western regions of Kenya. The combination of information derived from the study was intended to provide important baseline data for future breed conservation and production improvement in Kenya. Onsite study was conducted at University of Eldoret (UoE) Farm – Rabbitry Section. Rabbit breeds from farmers in the regions were obtained through snow balling technique. In order to investigate patterns of morphometric variation within and among the breeds, the study collected individual does and bucks from each county in the region and transported to University of Eldoret to be taken care of prior to weighing and taking linear body measurements Breeds were kept in standardized housing, feeding and health management were provided. Morphometric characterization was made according to Khalil (2010). Data collected were subjected to analysis using SPSS Version 21. The two regions had same breeds of rabbits (χ2=9.422, df=7, p=0.2240). For the counties within the regions in which the breeds were collected, New Zealand White was distributed in all counties with largest percentage in Baringo County (92.86%). Significant difference was between counties in the regions in which breed were collected (χ2=77.1940, df=49, p=0.0060). Majority of characteristics did not differ between male and female rabbits. As per sex, only female Agouti rabbits had larger ear length than males (t = 2.3378 P-value = 0.0393). New Zealand White females weighed more than males (t = 2.4226, p= 0.0194). Chinchilla rabbit breed had higher significant body length (51.00±4.15; F=2.49, p=0.0356). In terms of males’ weight, Palmino followed by Silver Fox had the highest weight (2.55±0.12; 2.49±0.57, respectively). For females, Chinchilla had the highest weight (3.31±0.48) than Rex (1.49±0.44) and Agouti (1.93±0.57). In conclusion, only weight differed in both males and females for all breeds. Only female Agouti rabbits had larger ear length than males. This research work recommends more studies be conducted on morphometric characterization of the indigenous rabbit at pre-determined ages including genetic, molecular, and immunological characterization and genetic parameter estimation. It is also recommended that breeding programs be carried out to improve the production performance of local rabbit.
References
Burg, V., Bowman, G., Haubensak, M., Baier, U., & Thees, O. (2018). Valorization of an untapped resource: Energy and greenhouse gas emissions benefits of converting manure to biogas through anaerobic digestion. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 136, 53-62.
Chidodo, S., Kilawe, C. J., Mnyone, L. L., Broecke, B. V., & Mulungu, L. S. (2020). Factors affecting the composition of rodent assemblages in the North Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. Journal of Vertebrate Biology, 69(2), 20047-1.
Crist, E., Mora, C., & Engelman, R. (2017). The interaction of human population, food production, and biodiversity protection. Science, 356(6335), 260-264.
Cullere, M., & Dalle Zotte, A. (2018). Rabbit meat production and consumption: State of knowledge and future perspectives. Meat science, 143, 137-146.
Daader, A. H., Yousef, M. K., Abdel-Samee, A. M., & Abd El-Nour, S. A. (2016, June). Recent trends in rabbit does reproductive management: special reference to hot regions. In Proceedings 1th World Rabbit Congress (pp. 149-166).
Dalle Zotte, A., Paci, G., & Sartori, A. (2012). Morphometric characteristics of dwarf rabbits: effects of age and gender. In Proceedings 10th World Rabbit Congress–September (pp. 3-6).
Hungu, C. W. (2011). Production characteristics and constraints of rabbit farming in central, Nairobi and Rift valley provinces, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation).
Irshad, A., Kandeepan, G., Kumar, S., Ashish, K.A., Vishnuraj, M. R., & Shukla, V. (2013). Factors influencing carcass composition of livestock: A review. J. Anim. Prod. Adv, 3(1).
Jaetzold, R., & Schmidt, H. (1982). Farm management handbook of Kenya (No. 630.96762 JAE v. 2. CIMMYT.).
Khalil, M. H. (2010). Overlooking for new lines of rabbits synthesized from genetic improvement programs achieved in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In 3rd Egyptian Rabbit Conference–October.
Khan, S., Khan, M. H., Muhammad, S., Kaleem, K., Shah, P., Khan, A., & Khan, N. (2017). Phenotypic and Morphometric characteristics of Angora Rabbits in Rabbit Model Farm Jabba Mansehra Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan.
Li, S., Zeng, W., Li, R., Hoffman, L. C., He, Z., Sun, Q., & Li, H. (2018). Rabbit meat production and processing in China. Meat science, 145, 320-328.
Mayamba, A., Byamungu, R. M., Broecke, B. V., Leirs, H., Hieronimo, P., Nakiyemba, A., ... & Mulungu, L. S. (2020). Factors influencing the distribution and abundance of small rodent pest species in agricultural landscapes in Eastern Uganda. Journal of Vertebrate Biology, 69(2), 20002-1.
Obike, O. M., Ibe, S. N., & Oke, U. K. (2010). Estimation of pre-and post-weaning body weight of rabbits in a humid tropical environment using linear body measurements. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, 9(4), 440-444.
Olagunju, M., Adeniyi, A. E., & Oladele, T. O. (2018). Prediction of Rabbit Population with Computer Application using Biotechnology. International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology (IJCTT), 57(1), 11-18.
Oseni, S. O. (2012, September). Rabbit production in low-input systems in Africa: prospects, challenges and opportunities. In 10 The World Rabbit Congress (Vol. 10, pp. 719-731).
Petrescu, D. C., & Petrescu-Mag, R. M. (2018). Consumer behaviour related to rabbit meat as functional food. World Rabbit Science, 26(4), 321-333.
Serem, J. K., Wanyoike, M. M., Gachuiri, C. K., Mailu, S. K., Gathumbi, P. K., Mwanza, R. N., & Borter, D. K. (2013). Characterization of rabbit production systems in Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Science and Applications, 2(3), 155-159.
Serem, J. K., Wanyoike, M. M., Gachuiri, C. K., Mailu, S. K., Gathumbi, P. K., Mwanza, R. N., & Borter, D. K. (2013). Characterization of rabbit production systems in Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Science and Applications, 2(3), 155-159.
Shahin, K. A., & Hassan, N. S. (2002). Changes in sources of shared variability of body size and shape in Egyptian local and New Zealand White breeds of rabbits during growth. Archives Animal Breeding, 45(3), 269-277.
Wanjala, F. N. (2015). Performance and cost of production of New Zealand white, California white rabbit (oryctolagus cuniculus) breeds and their cross under two feeding regimes (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
