CONSEQUENCES OF SELECTION FOR POST-WEANING GROWTH ‎PERFORMANCE ON CARCASS AND TISSUE WEIGHT ‎DISTRIBUTION TRAITS IN RABBITS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the consequences of selection for post-weaning growth performance on carcass and tissue weight distribution traits using selection indices in rabbits through the multi-trait animal model. The experimental material involved 218 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, the progeny of 24 bucks and 93 adult does. The aggregate genotype of weaning weight (WW), slaughter weight (SW), and average daily gain (DG) from weaning to slaughter were included. The same three traits were used with different combinations as a source of information. FLB and by -0.12 in TCB% and increase by 0.11 to 0.15% in LOB with fluctuated change in HLB by -0.09 to 0.07%). As compared with their unrestricted forms, the restricted indices I 8(HLM) and I 9(HLM) would entail an only a slight reduction in accuracy of selection (r TI = 0.76 and 0.72, respectively) with acceptable improvement in WW (+104.7 and 108.2gm, respectively) and SW (+119.8 and 108.1gm, respectively) with an unfavorable increase in HLB by 0.37 and 0.07%, respectively. Conclusively , Use of weaning weight (WW) and slaughter weight (SW) as sources of information (I 2 ) in the following index: (r TI = 0.83) would be recommended to maximize the post-weaning growth traits regardless of the deterioration in carcass tissue weight distribution. However, the following restricted index: would be a preferred choice to the breeder, taking into consideration the expected deterioration in carcass tissue weight distribution, for biological and rabbit meat consumer desires reasons.