author(s)
L Sarma, S Katoch, YP Thakur and V Sankhyan

abstract
An attempt has been made to determine the reproductive performance of German Angora rabbits reared in Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh in the present study. A total of 361 records of female German Angora rabbits as well as progenies of a foundation stock of 8 bucks and 32 does of an imported improved strain of German Angora rabbit were analysed to estimate the reproductive traits in relation to non-genetic factors. The data were collected from Angora Rabbit Breeding Farm, Kandwari, Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) over a period of ten years, from 2000 to 2009. The data were analyzed by Harvey’s least-squares method of fitting constants. The least-squares means for litter size and gestation period were 4.62±1.64 kits and 30.39±0.58 days, respectively. Litter size at birth was significantly affected by both year and season of kindling whereas; gestation period was significantly affected only by year of kindling. Winter appeared to be the most favourable season for breeding of Angora rabbits. Improvement can be achieved through proper selection and improved management practices. Therefore, pure breeding stock of German Angora rabbits can be introduced to maintain superior genotypes and variability in the farm.