A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HETEROSIS IN TWO-WAY VERSUS THREE-WAY CROSSBREEDING SYSTEMS FOR GROWTH AND CARCASS TRAITS IN RABBITS UNDER SAVANNAH ZONES OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the comparative analysis of heterosis expression in two-way versus three-way crossbreeding systems for growth and carcass traits in rabbits under the savannah zones of Nigeria. The three-way crossbred rabbits exhibited superior growth performance compared to their two-way counterparts, with significant differences in average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight, suggesting that hybrid vigour enhances growth rates. The carcass traits, revealing that three-way crosses have higher dressing percentages and better meat quality attributes. Reproductive performance metrics suggest that three-way crosses may have a slight edge in litter size and survival rates. Genetic diversity assessment confirms that three-way breeding systems maintain greater genetic variability, which is crucial for resilience against diseases and environmental changes. This study underscores the advantages of three-way crossbreeding systems over two-way systems for optimizing rabbit production in Nigeria’s savannah zones.