Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pftt2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-08T06:49:17.123Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Rabbit genetic resources of Egypt

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

M.H. Khalil
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production & Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, King Saud University, Buriedah, Qassim P. O. Box 1482, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia On Secondment from Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, Zagazig University, Moshtohor, Qalyoubia, Egypt
Get access

Summary

In Egypt, there are three breeds of rabbits, Giza White, Baladi and Gabali. For Baladi rabbits, there are three strains; Baladi Red, Baladi White and Baladi Black, while Sinai Gabali and Desert Gabali are considered the two strains of Gabali rabbits. Giza White rabbits are usually called improved Giza or El-Giza El-Mohassan. These Egyptian rabbits are medium-sized breeds and used mainly for meat production. Giza White and Baladi rabbits are docile, while Gabali rabbits are moderately tractable. Origin, physical description, and census data for these Egyptian genetic resources were described. Also, they were characterized with regard to their performance (e.g. reproductive efficiency, lactational and maternal abilities, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits and meat composition, hair and fur quality, etc.) and adaptability to heat stress.

Resumen

En Egipto existen tres razas de conejos, Giza White, Baladi y Gabali. Dentro de la raza Baladi tenemos tres grupos: Baladi Red, Baladi White y Baladi Black; mientras que la Sinai Gabali y la Desert Gabali vienen consideradas como dos grupos de la raza Gabali. La raza Giza White viene llamada normalmente Giza mejorada o El-Giza El-Mohassan. Estos conejos son de un tamaño medio y vienen utilizados principalmente para carne. Las razas Giza White y Baladi son dóciles, mientras que la raza Gabali lo es mucho menos. Se presenta el origen, la descripción física y el censo de este recurso genético animal en Egipto. También se presentan sus características de rendimiento (eficacia de reproducción, capacidad de lactación y materna, índice de crecimiento, índice de conversión, elementos de la canal y composición de la carne, calidad del pelo y de la piel, etc.), así como la resistencia al estrés producido por el calor.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abdella, M. M., Afifi, E. A., El-Sayaad, G. A. E. & El-Madhagi, K. S. S. 1990. Effect of dietary protein level, fiber level and other factors on rabbit performance. I - Productive performance of rabbit does. Annals of Agric. Sci., Moshtohor, Egypt, 28(4): 21012112.Google Scholar
Afifi, E. A. 1971. A study of some economic and productive characters in some breeds of rabbits and their crosses. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Agric., Ain-Shams Univ., Egypt, pp. 580.Google Scholar
Afifi, E. A. & Emara, M. E. 1986. Conception rate and number of litters kindled by the rabbit doe per year in Egypt. 3rdInternational Colloquy “The Rabbit as a Model Animal and Breeding Object:, Section 1, Rostock, 11–13 September 1986.Google Scholar
Afifi, E. A. & Emara, M. E. 1987. Litter size in local Egyptian and exotic breeds of rabbits and their crosses. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research, 10 (1): 2629.Google Scholar
Afifi, E.A. & Emara, M. E. 1990. Breed group and environmental factors influencing postweaning daily gain in weight of purebred and crossbred rabbits. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research 13: 114118.Google Scholar
Afifi, E. A. & Khalil, M. H. 1989. Observations on purebred and crossbred litters of Giza White and Grey Giant Flander rabbits in Egypt. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research, 12: 273277.Google Scholar
Afifi, E. A., Khalil, M. H. & Emara, M. E. 1989. Effects on maternal performance and litter preweaning traits in doe traits. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 106: 358362.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Afifi, E. A., Abdella, M. M., El-Sayaad, G. A. E. & El-Madhagi, K. S. S. 1990. Effect of dietary protein level, fiber level and other factors on rabbits performance. I- Growth traits, postweaning mortality, feed utilization and nutrients digestibility of growing rabbits. Annals of Agric. Sci., Moshtohor, 28 (4): 21152139, Egypt.Google Scholar
Afifi, E. A., Khalil, M. H., Khadr, A. F. & Youssef, Y. M. K. 1993. Heterosis, maternal and direct effect for postweaning growth traits and carcass performance in rabbit crosses. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 110: 110, Germany.Google Scholar
Badawy, A. G. 1975. Rabbit Raising. Central Administration for Agricultural Culture, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt (2nd Edition, In Arabic), pp. 75.Google Scholar
Blasco, A., Ouhayoun, G. & Masoero, G. 1992. Study of rabbit meat and carcass: Criteria and terminology. Option Méditerranéennes-Série Séminaires, No. 17: 105120.Google Scholar
Bolet, G., Baselga, M., Monnerot, M., Rouvier, R., Roustan, A. & Brun, J. M. 1996. Evaluation, conservation and utilization of rabbit genetic resources: Situation and prospects in the Mediterranean region and in Europe. 6 World Rabbit Congress, France, Toulouse, July 1996, Vol. 2: 249254.Google Scholar
Boulos, N. Z. 1978. Effect of feeding different sources and levels of roughages on growing rabbits. M.Sc. Thesis, Cairo University, Egypt, pp. 92.Google Scholar
Darwish, H. I., Mostageer, A. M. & Ghany, M. A. 1970. Genetic and phenotypic parameters of carcass characteristics in Giza rabbits. Egyptian Journal Animal Production, 10(1): 1319.Google Scholar
Dora, T. M. 1979. Body size, feed efficiency and meat production in White Baladi, Bouscat and their crossbreds. M.Sc. Thesis, Mansoura University, Egypt, pp. 133.Google Scholar
El-Fouly, M. A., Borady, A. A., Radwan, A. A. & Kamar, G. A. R. 1977. Seasonal variation in some reproductive traits of Bouscat and Giza White rabbits. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 17(1): 919.Google Scholar
El-Khishin, A. F., Badreldin, A. L., Oloufa, M. M. & Kheireldin, M. A. 1951. Growth development and litter size in two breeds of rabbits. Bulletin No. 2, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, pp. 29.Google Scholar
El-Sayaad, G. A. E., Afifi, E. A, Abdella, M. M. & El-Madhagi, K. S. S., 1990. Effect of dietary protein level, fiber level, breed and other factors on rabbit performance. III. Carcass traits, meat composition and blood components of growing rabbits. Annals of Agricultural Science, Moshtohor, Egypt, 28(4): 21412165.Google Scholar
Emara, M. E. A. 1982. Effect of crossbreeding on some productive traits in rabbits. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Agric. Moshtohor, Zagazig Univ., Banha Branch, Egypt, pp. 248.Google Scholar
Galal, E. S. E. & Khalil, M. H. 1994. Development of rabbit industry in Egypt. Options Méditerranéennes, Spain, 8: 4356.Google Scholar
Hassan, N. S. 1988. Production of rabbits in Egypt. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Agric., Cairo University, Egypt, pp. 127.Google Scholar
Hassanein, A. M. 1980. Reproductivity of rabbits under different heat conditions. M. Sc. Theses, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, pp. 117.Google Scholar
Hilmy, A. F. 1991. Some productive aspects in rabbits. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. of Agric., Moshtohor, Zagazig Univ., Egypt, pp. 177.Google Scholar
Ibrahim, M. K. 1988. Some hair characteristics of different native and standard rabbit breeds. 4 World Rabbit Congress, WRSA, Budapest, 10–14 October, pp. 340.Google Scholar
Ibrahim, F. A. 1985. Studies on some factors affecting reproduction performance, milk production and preweaning mortality in rabbits. M. Sc. Theses, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, pp. 101.Google Scholar
Kamar, G. A. R., Shafie, M. M., Abdel-Malek, , 1975. The ear lobes of rabbits as a site of body temperature regulation. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 15(1): 5766.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., 1980. Genetic and environmental studies on some productive traits in rabbits. M. Sc. Theses, Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, Zagazig University, Egypt, pp. 246.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., 1993. Genetic evaluation of the lactational performance in Giza White rabbits and its relation with preweaning litter traits. Egyptian J. Rabbit Science, 3(1): 113127.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., 1994. Lactational performance of Giza White rabbit and its relation with preweaning litter traits. Animal Production, 59:141145, UK.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H. 1996. Breeds of rabbits in desert areas. Symposium on development of Rabbit Industry in Sinai. Sinai, 24–27 September 1996, Suez Canal University, Egypt, (Arabic Article), pp. 2435.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H. 1997. Model for the description of Rabbit Genetic Resources in Mediterranean countries. Application to the Egyptian breeds Giza White and Baladi. CIHEAM, Spain (Booklet), pp. 41.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H. 1999. Heterosis, maternal and direct genetic effects for litter performance and postweaning growth in Gabali rabbits and their crosses raised under hot climatic conditions. J. King Saud University, Agric. Sci, 11(2): 131146.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H. & Soliman, A. M. 1989. Genetic analysis for some reproductive traits in doe rabbits. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research, (4): 205208.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H. & Khalil, H. H. 1991. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for weaning and preweaning body weights and gain in Bouscat and Giza White rabbits. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research, 14: 4451.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., Owen, J. B. & Afifi, E. A. 1986. A review of phenotypic and genetic parameters associated with meat production traits in rabbits. Animal Breeding Abstracts (1986), U. K., 54(4): 752–749.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., Owen, J. B. & Afifi, E. A. 1987a. A genetic analysis of litter traits in Bauscat and Giza White rabbits. Animal Production, 45: 123134.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., Afifi, E. A. & Owen, J. B. 1987b. A genetic analysis of body weight traits in young Bauscat and Giza White rabbits. Animal Production, 45: 135144.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., Afifi, E. A. & Kadry, A. E. H. 1989. Genetic analysis of weight of doe rabbits during gestation and its phenotypic relationship with reproductive efficiency at kindling. Journal of Applied Rabbit Research, 12(1): 4551.Google Scholar
Khalil, M. H., Afifi, E. A., Emara, M. E. & Owen, J-B. 1988. Genetic and phenotypic aspects of doe productivity in four breeds of rabbits. J. Agric. Sci., Cambridge 110: 191197.Google Scholar
Mostageer, A., Ghany, M. A. & Darwish, H. I. 1970. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for the improvement of bodyweight in Giza rabbits. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 10(1): 6572.Google Scholar
Radwan, M. A. H., Abdella, M. M., Bakir, A. A. & El-Maghrabi, M. M. 1978. Studies on some nutritional requirements for two local breeds of rabbits during reproduction and growing periods. Annals of Agricultural Science, Moshtohor, Egypt, 10: 245255.Google Scholar
Sharie, M. M., Abdel-Malek, E. G., El-Issawi, H. F. & Ramar, G. A. R. 1970. Effect of environmental temperature on physiological body reactions of rabbits under subtropical conditions. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 10(1): 133149.Google Scholar
Soliman, F. N. K. 1983. Genetic and physiological studies in rabbits. The effect of crossing on rabbits performance. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. of Agric., Alexandria Univ., Egypt.Google Scholar
Soliman, F. N. K. 1988. Genetic and physiological studies in rabbits: evaluation of pre- and post- weaning performance for different breeds of rabbits. Ph. D. Thesis Fac. of Agric., Alexandria Univ., Egypt, pp. 247.Google Scholar
Swapfbs, , 1993. Statistics of Wealth for Animal, Poultry, Fish, Bees, and Silk, 1991–1993, Bulletin Published by Economic Sector, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt.Google Scholar
Tag El-Din, T. H. 1979. A comparative study of reproduction, mortality and body weight in White Baladi and Bouscat rabbits and their crossbreds. M. Sc. Thesis, Mansoura University, Egypt, pp. 131.Google Scholar
Tag El-Din, T. H., Ibrahim, Z. M. K. & Oudah, S. M. 1992. Studies on live body weight and litter size in New Zealand White, Californian, Baladi rabbits and their crossbreds in Egypt. Options Méditerranéennes, Spain, 8:6774.Google Scholar
Toson, M. A. 1983. Genetic differences of heat tolerance and their effects on some productive traits in rabbits. M. Sc. Theses, Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, Zagazig University, Egypt, pp. 99.Google Scholar
Youssef, M. K. 1992. The productive performance of purebred and crossbred rabbits. M. Sci. Thesis, Fac. of Agric., Moshtohor, Zagazig Univ., Egypt, pp. 182.Google Scholar