Effect of does parity order on litter homogeneity parameters

Abstract Background: In rabbits reproductive performance, litter size and litter weight at birth, growth rate and mortality rate are the main factors that help to define the productive potential and they are influenced by the parity order. Birth weight represents a basic parameter in the management of a rabbit farm, because it is linked to mortality rate and weaning weight. Litter size affects the weight gained by suckling rabbits at weaning and it is connected with the chance of kits to find an available teat during the suckling period. For these reasons, it is of prime importance to study individual newborn and an intra-litter homogeneity parameters. This experimental study aimed to consider the litter homogeneity weight at birth, both within each litter and in the whole population, in order to suggest a proper litter homogenization practice.Results: The 1st and 6th parity order showed respectively the lowest and highest values in litter size, born-alives, litter weight, born-alives weight and homogeneity. These parameters decreased in greater parity order. Not significant effects on still-borns number and mortality rate were recorded. All these litter homogeneity evaluation parameters appeared interesting in describe differences between parity orders.Conclusions: The results of this research confirm that does parity order influences litter size and born-alives weight, but also the intra- and inter-litter homogenization. Litter homogenization is crucial to ensure proportionate share of milk, more equal growth and better productive performances. Based on these results we suggest equalizing primiparous with primiparous litters, and, consequently, the following parity orders among them.