CALIFORNIA RABBITS PERFORMANCE UNDER HIGH ALTITUDE CONDITONS IN GITEGA - BURUNDI*

The results under Gitega-Burundi conditions showed that California rabbits had similar body weight from 10-to 24 weeks of age as that well known at sea level or similar environmental conditions. It was noticed that the rabbits which did not attain their somatic maturition before the dry season had
had 1 lighter body weight than that reached somatic maturation early. To avoid this problem, the reproduction season must begin early to achieve
oorly to achieve somatic maturation before the dry season. The results showed low values for the reproductive traits which may be attributed to the effects of oxygen hypoxia. It is important to search for increasing the reproductive efficiency in California rabbits by physiological studies under S the high altitude conditions.