POSSIBILITIES AND PROSPECTS OF CREATING NEW BREEDING FORMS OF RABBITS
In the context of increasingly isolated situation in Russia, it is evident that there is a need for breeding and genetic research to improve existing domestic breeds and create new domestic breeds and crossbreeds of rabbits with targeted productivity parameters. The goal of this research is to scientifically justify the possibility and assess the prospects of creating new domestic breeding forms in rabbit farming that are comparable to the best domestic and foreign breeds in terms of productivity. By using classical methods of breeding, zootechnical analysis and accounting, and modern methods of assessing genetic structure, we have created and patented independent intermediate (Rod 1, Rod 2, Rod 3) and final Rodnik rabbit crosses through complex variable crossbreeding of three domestic breeds. High productive indicators were achieved: the average fertility of rabbits was 9.3±0.4 kits, the average number of kits was 7.9±0.4; the average live weight of young animals by the age of slaughter at 77 days was 2.62±0.3 kg, at 90 days it was 3.11±0.04 kg; yield by the age of 77 and 90 days was 7.5 and 7.2, respectively kits per 1 doe. According to the three primers (ACC)6C, (ACC)6T, and (ACC)6G, the Rodnik cross is distinguished in an autonomous position in comparison with the initial breeds. A statistically significant superiority of the cross in comparison with the initial breeds and intermediate crosses has been established. Based on the parental form of the final Rodnik cross, a new synthetic breed of rabbits is being created. Thus, the created rabbit population has the ability to be introduced into the actual production of rabbit farming products and to obtain new breeding forms.