Aspectos reprodutivos de coelhas da raça Lion Head

Abstract

Rabbit breeding is an important practice for generating income for small farmers. In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the number of pet rabbits, also known as pet. The production of these animals is of great relevance for the Brazilian Cunicultura, since it corresponds to a significant portion in the rabbit production market. Among the most commercialized breeds are the Mini Lionhead, recognized as a new breed in 2002 by the Association of Breeders of England. The objective of this research was to evaluate the reproductive parameters of the Mini Lionhead breed. Data were obtained from Granja Visgueiro located in the region of Aldeia in Camaragibe - PE and from the Sector of Cunicultura of the Federal University of Paraíba - Campus II located in the city of Areia - PB. Fifty-one Lion Head matrices were evaluated for quantitative reproductive characteristics: age at first mating, age at first calving, gestation time, number of litters born and numbers of weaned laparos. Descriptive statistics were used with mean test, standard deviation, calculating minimum and maximum points. There was a significant correlation of 0.94 between the age of first intercourse and age at first birth, and it can be stated that there is a relationship between these two variables. Lionhead offspring are very sensitive, and early weaning is not recommended as this may become an aggravating factor in increasing the mortality rate. It was concluded that females of the Lionhead breed are late in relation to the evaluated reproductive parameters.