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ABSTRACT
The effect of weight at mating on reproductive performance in rabbits was examined. Specifically, this study assessed the effects of weight at mating on litter size at birth, litter weight at four weeks, gestation length, and kindling interval. The research was carried out in the university of Benin- Teaching and Research Farm. The parameters measured were mating weight, litter size at birth ( LSB), litter weight at 4 weeks (LWW), gestation length (GL) and kindling interval (KI). Data generated were analysed using SPSS version 2022 software package to evaluate the effect of weight at mating on reproductive performance in rabbits. The analysis of the data showed that weight at mating had no significant effect (P>0.05) on any of the reproductive traits investigated, litter size at birth, gestation length, kindling interval excluding litter weight at 4 weeks (0.441±0.043kg). Obtained result showed that weight at mating had a significant effect(P<0.05) on litter size at 4 weeks, therefore animals used for breeding should have optimal body weight as the weight of the litter depends on milk intake and doe's milk production. Given that there were no significant effect of weight at mating on litter size, gestation length and kindling interval, it is recommended that rabbit breeding programs focus on other factors that may influence reproductive performance such as breed, nutrition, health status, genetics rather than relying solely on weight at mating
