Phenotypic And Morphological Characterization Of Indigenous Ghanaian Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) Resources In Northern Ghana

ABSTRACT 

The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypically, indigenous Ghanaian rabbit resources of northern Ghana. When characterization of the indigenous rabbits is complete, selection and breeding for specific objectives can be systematic. Three hundred local rabbits from the three northern regions of Ghana were randomly sampled. Frequencies for colour varieties were computed. The effects of variety, region and sex on body measurements were analyzed and phenotypic correlations between various body measurements were estimated. Regression equations were also fitted for body weight using body measurements. Thirteen colour varieties were identified: White, Red, Black, Brown, Ash, Black White, Brown White, Black Brown, Red Brown, White Red, White Ash, Ash Brown and Black Brown White. The White colour variety had the largest representation (28.0%). The least represented were the Black Brown (0.3 %) and Ash Brown (0.3 %). The overall mean body weights for the top six colour varieties were: Brown (1.80 ± 0.095 kg), White (1.63 t 0.084 kg), Brown white (1.52 ± 0.110 kg), Black white (1.48 ± 0.132 kg), Black (1.43 ± 0.157 kg) and Red (1.43 ± 0.146 kg). Rabbits from the Upper West region had much higher body weights than Rabbits from the Northern and Upper East regions. Cases of genotype environment interaction were observed. The effect of variety was a significant (p